Ibraheem Abdullateef
Followers of Senator Bukola Saraki have always tried without success to peddle the narrative that his tenure as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) brought significant progress to Kwara.
The latest attempt by AbdulKareem Onilemarun, which was supposed to ridicule Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, would go down as the worst.
Not only did he fail his mission, but he also exposed further the emptiness of Saraki’s NGF tenure between 2007- 2011.
A cursory look at the list he drew comprising appointments that were projected to be done by his leadership is telling.
The list comprised 35 names. Upon checks, avaliable facts revealed that only 2 appointments were made between 2007 and 2011, which is the period under review.
These were Prof Oba Abdulraheem as Federal Character Chairman and Alhaji Kawu Baraje, acting Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party. The rest were done from 2013 – 2019.
In fact, available records show that both Saraki and Senator Shaaba Lafiagi stood against Prof Oba at the senate during the screening. But the senate still went ahead to confirm his reappointment.
I ask you to fact-check Onilemarun’s list to corroborate my findings.
From the above, I want to believe that even if it took Onilemarun and his ilk many years to believe it, the emptiness of Saraki’s tenure should finally be sinking in.
Not only did we fail to get tangible infrastructural projects, but the volume of federal appointments was also ridiculous. It is not by mistake that he could not come up with any to promote his principal.
In contrast, I have made a list of federal appointments Kwara got from 2023 to date. This is in the tenure of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the NGF chairman under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Both in weight and volume, it is unprecedented in history.
Kwara Federal Appointments 2023 — 2025:
1. NGF Chairman — Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
2. Attorney General of the Federation — Prince Lateef Fagbemi
3. GMD/CEO NNPCL– Engr Bayo Bashir Ojulari
4. National Health Insurance Authority Chairman, Sen. Yahya Oloriegbe
5. DG, National Orientation Agency (NOA) — Mallam Lanre Issa –Onilu
6. DG, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO)– Otunba Biodun Ajiboye
7. National Institute for Legislative Development Studies (NILDS) (reappointed)– Prof Abubakar Suleiman Amana
8. DG, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) — Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed
9. ES, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) — Mr Cornelius Segun Adebayo
10. DG, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS)– Prof. Ibrahim Abikan
11. Chairman, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) — Alh. Abdullateef Alakawa,
12. Member, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Board — Chief Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun
13. DG, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) — Dr Abdullateef Shittu
14. Non-Executive Director, MOFI Incorporated — Mr. Bolaji Rafiu Elelu
15. Member, CBN Monetary Policy Committee – Amoo Bandele Alabi Ganiyu
16. Chairman, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo State — Hon. Yusuf Ademola Ganiat
17. Member, Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State– Rt. Hon. Bola Badmus
18. Chairman, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State —
Prof. AbdulRaheem Oba
19. Member, Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Katsina State –Alhaji Sule Abbas
20. Member, King David Umahi University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State– Barr. Bamidele Aluko
21. Chairman, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State –Prof. Olawale Sulaiman
22. Member, Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross River State — Hon. Ahmed Kaiama
23. Member, Federal College of Education, Yola, Adamawa State —Engr. Babatunde Abdulkadir
24. Member, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State –Tajudeen Abioye
25. Member, Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State — Mallam Yahaya Zulkarnaini
26. Chairman, Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Jigawa State — Hajia Kperogi Halimat
27. Chairman, Federal Polytechnic, N’yak, Plateau State –Abubakar Sadiq Usman
28. Member, National Council on Privatisation (NCP)– Bar. Olayiwola Yahaya
29. Federal Commissioner at Federal Character Commission (FCC) — Dr Ibrahim Abdullah
While I apologise for any omission, these people were all appointed within the last two years.
If we are to follow Onilemarun’s list, the 29 names in two years almost compared to 35 names he is bandying which were appointed within the period of 12 years!
Governor AbdulRazaq’s achievement in two years as NGF chairman is competing with Saraki’s tenure as both NGF chairman and senate president.
Such is the depth of history and the travail of traducers.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is also ahead of Bukola Saraki in terms of infrastructure that they attracted.
AbdulRazaq has facilitated no less than 294km of roads to the state.
Kwara got approval for and has since commenced the reconstruction of four major roads under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme. The roads include Kosubosu–Kaiama–Bode Saadu (130km); Bacita-Shonga-Lafiagi (83km); Eiyenkorin–Afon–Offa–Odo Otin (49km); and Okuta–Bokuro (32km), which connects the state to the Benin Republic.
Following years of persistent lobbying, he bore his weight on these demands and got them despite the mounting tensions on the legal status of the tax credit scheme. The Governor pulled through with the goodwill of the president to secure it for Kwara.
Can we have such list of roads facilitated by Saraki between 2007– 2011 as NGF chairman?
There were also at least five other fallacies I will point out.
Hon. Tajudeen Asunara was not appointed Chairman FMC Jalingo. He was appointed member NOA board and member FMC Makurdi in 2017.
Isiaka Anafi Karajo was appointed member FMC Jalingo and not Chairman of FMC Makurdi.
Dr. Fatai Bello was appointed member and not Chairman FNPH Abeokuta.
Hon. Muritala L. Mustapha was a member and not Chairman National Roots Crop Research Institute.
Ado Bawa was not the chairman but a member of the National Hospital Abuja.
These are five more lies by Onilemarun, or is it Oniromarun now? His article to sell his paymaster was built on falsehood, deliberate distortions, and ignorance.
Onilemarun’s faux brings to mind the afadapakun story in Yoruba folklore.
It was said to be of a hunter who sets out to hunt a squirrel.
Upon citing the tricky animal, the hunter throws his cutlass at it but misses horribly.
The cutlass could not be found in the dungeon. And the squirrel whisk away in great speed.
The loss comes in two folds for the hunter. Has Onile not failed in ridiculing AbdulRazaq and also projecting Saraki now?
The reversal of Hajia Fareedah Dankaka’s reappointment is most unfortunate. Nonetheless, Kwara stands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu firmly.
Kwara APC led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is grateful for the great working relationship and benefits the state has enjoyed over the years. It is our hope that more goodies are coming soon.
It is not in the place of any opposition member to pontificate what we deserve as a people and state when the facts of history are clear that they never did near what we have done ever. Make dem park well.
•Abdullateef is Senior Special Assistant to Kwara Governor on Communication