Leaders of the Agbaji/Ajikobi axis of Ilorin on Saturday referred to the submission made by a member of the community, Alhaji Omar Ayelabegan that the people of Agbaji had purportedly rejected the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki as untrue and a figment of imagination that only existed in the mind of Omar. In rising to the defence of Saraki , the leaders not only dismissed the statement made by Omar but further described it as unfounded. The dude, Alhaji Omar Ayelabegan, a known critic of the Senate President had on Thursday in a statement stated that the community no longer find it comfortable standing with Saraki, alleging that his leadership had not brought required development to the community. Speaking with newsmen including Global Excellence in the Agbaji quarters , the community leaders not only declare recognition for Saraki’s leadership but also added that they are in support of his presidential ambition.
The interactive meeting lasted about five hours right at the frontage of the Ayelabegan’s family house, the spokesman for the Ajikobi/Agbaji ward, Alhaji AbdulMuhmeen Tayo Moyosore said Omar Ayelabegan is not a relevant voice in the politics of the area but that he is only being used by those who have tried in vain to remove Saraki as the Senate President. The leaders stated that contrary to the submission made by Ayelabegan, the Senate President has on record the achievements of initiating developmental projects that have recorded very positive effects on the socio- economic development of the state and the wellbeing of the people. ‘To start with, Omar Yusuf Ayelabegan is not a force to be reckoned with, either as a politician or a community leader in the Agbaji/ Ajikobi Ward of Ilorin West local government.
Therefore, he lacks the pedigree to speak for or on behalf of the learned and the well- respected people of Agbaji/ Ajikobi Ward. He was at best doing the bidding of his paymasters who have tried in vain to unseat the best Senate President Nigeria has ever produced. While we, the authentic representatives of the Agbaji/ Ajikobi Ward want to put a lie to all the claims of Ayelabegan in his statement, we make bold to say that Saraki’s leadership has brought relief to the greatest number of the people of Kwara state. We want to unequivocally declare that the entire people of Agbaji/ Ajikobi Ward are solidly behind our great son, the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON and we shall never cease supporting him. We are indeed very proud of Dr Bukola Saraki’s achievements both as a former governor and as the President of the performing 8th Senate.
We also received the news of his declaration to run for the presidential election next year with great excitement. We have no doubt in our minds that given the chance to rule Nigeria, Saraki will deliver on electoral promises because he has all it takes to provide good leadership for the country at the level of presidency .We, therefore, urge Nigerians, irrespective of religion, ethnic and political affiliations to support our son, Saraki, to clinch the presidency come February next year so that we can achieve the country of our dream.
Our experience in the past three years has shown that Nigeria really need a brilliant, energetic and youthful political leader like Saraki to move the nation forward. Saraki’s records of achievements as two- term governor of the state are too physical on the ground even for the blind to see or feel. And as the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, as a true son of the soil and purposeful leader, has used his good offices to attract monumental infrastructure projects to the state. The ongoing construction of the Federal Medical Centre at Foma/ Okoolowo axis of Ilorin stands as a good example. Not only this, our God sent leader has also executed numerous constituency projects in education and the health sectors as well road construction and erosion control. He has also used his vantage position to secure federal job opportunities for numerous youths in the state.
This is apart from his scholarship schemes for students across secondary and tertiary education levels as well as the training of the youths in skills acquisition. Currently 700 Kwara youths are undergoing training programme on installation and maintenance of solar energy at the instance of the Senate President. He has also promised to equip the trainees after the completion of their training. We, therefore, want to use this forum to urge members of the public to disregard the incoherent ranting of Omar Yusuf Ayelabegan. He is not the spokesman of our community and nobody mandated him to speak on behalf of the Agbaji/ Ajikobi ward’ he said. Speaking in same vein, the PDP Youth Leader in Ajikobi Ward, Alhaji Yunus Abolakale, dismissed the assertions made by Ayelabegan submitting that on the contrary the youths and other groups in the community have accepted the leadership of Saraki and that they would continue to support the senator. He also listed several projects undertaken by Saraki at the Agbaji /Ajikobi Ward and stated that the Senate President remains a true and committed indigene of Agbaji.
-Akinlolu Abayomi
