The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, has issued a direct challenge to former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, urging him to officially join the ruling party in the state. Fagbemi’s bold statement comes in response to claims that Saraki maintains behind-the-scenes connections with the APC in Abuja, rather than openly aligning himself with the party’s leadership under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
In an interview with Vanguard, Fagbemi addressed comments made by Professor Abubabar Sulyman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). Sulyman had asserted on a local radio program that Saraki was “hobnobbing” with the APC in Abuja. Fagbemi characterized Saraki as a self-centered individual, attributing the defection of several of his loyalists to both the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to this trait.
The Kwara APC chairman indicated that the party had intentionally refrained from amplifying the issue, deeming it insignificant given Dr. Bukola Saraki’s political history. He stated that it was their strategy not to give such matters serious media attention because they were perceived as non-issues.
Fagbemi believes that the former Senate President should demonstrate greater political conviction by joining the APC in Kwara State. He emphasized that this move should be made under the leadership of the state’s performing governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, instead of engaging in covert dealings with the party in the federal capital.
What is the primary concern raised by the Kwara APC Chairman regarding Bukola Saraki’s political activities? The Kwara APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, is concerned that Bukola Saraki is not officially joining the APC in Kwara State but is instead maintaining behind-the-scenes links with the party in Abuja, suggesting a lack of genuine commitment.
He further asserted that Saraki no longer poses a significant political threat to the APC. Fagbemi pointed to the party’s success in defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Saraki’s former party, in two consecutive elections within the state as evidence of this diminished influence.
Fagbemi also noted that some of Saraki’s former supporters have already aligned with the APC for a considerable period, while others have moved on to different political platforms like the ADC. This further questions the relevance of Saraki’s current political maneuvering.
The APC chairman also levied accusations against the former Senate President, citing a lack of loyalty and integrity. He recalled Saraki’s past efforts to secure the position of Senate President as an example of his perceived desperation.
According to Fagbemi, Saraki is primarily engaged in a survival strategy, as his political influence and access to state government resources in Kwara have been significantly curtailed. This situation, he suggests, is driving Saraki’s attempts to connect with the APC in Abuja.
Despite these criticisms, Fagbemi clarified that the APC has no fundamental objection to Saraki’s actions. However, he reiterated that if the former Senate President genuinely believes in his political trajectory, he should formally declare his allegiance by joining the APC within Kwara State.
Saraki’s political future in Kwara remains a subject of discussion, with the APC chairman urging a clear and official stance. The party’s leadership in the state seems confident in their current standing and open to Saraki’s potential official membership, provided it is done transparently.
Bukola Saraki’s alleged hobnobbing with the APC in Abuja is seen by Fagbemi as a tactic to maintain political relevance in the absence of his former stronghold. The chairman’s challenge is a call for clarity and a definitive political alignment from the former Senate President.
How to officially join the APC in Kwara State requires a formal declaration and submission to the state leadership. This is the direct challenge posed by the Kwara APC Chairman to Dr. Bukola Saraki.
The APC’s victory in two successive elections in Kwara State is a strong indicator of their dominance, making Saraki’s current political maneuvers appear less impactful.
The political landscape in Kwara State is clearly defined, with the APC holding a strong position under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s leadership.
Bukola Saraki’s political legacy and current strategies are under scrutiny, particularly from the ruling party in his home state.
