By Abdulqaudri Mahmud
Like Kwara civil servants, Kwara monarchs also suffered in the hands of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). They were owed and were not given the attention they deserved as traditional rulers. And if they complained, they would be threatened with ouster. Therefore, these monarchs kept mute while they prayed that one day, they would be free from the PDP and the Saraki dynasty’s bondage. And as God would have it — their freedom came earlier than they expected as the people of Kwara sacked their captors through the polls.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, unlike the PDP, has been doing wonderfully well for the state’s monarchs as the constitution demands. He gives them the attention they deserve and takes their welfare seriously. And in appreciation of his kindness and excellent leadership, the traditional rulers have not only been conferring him titles, but they have also been rooting for his re-election. As I write, no governorship candidate has received endorsement from the monarchs like AbdulRazaq.
The forthcoming governorship in Kwara state is between the people’s choice, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and politicians whose eyes are on the state’s treasury and coffer. Kwarans know the latter and their dubious intentions and that is why they have queued behind Governor AbdulRazaq ‘ko maa se lo’ to continue the good work. Kwara monarchs, civil servants, artisans, students, and others are solidly behind him and rooting for his re-election.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq may not have taken Kwarans to the promised land or turned Kwara to Eldorado, but he has taken Kwarans and Kwara out of the disreputable state People’s Democratic Party (PDP) left them in its inglorious 16 years. With his Midas touch — he has touched our roads, schools, hospitals, and others, the banished PDP left in bad conditions. AbdulRazaq pays civil servants their salaries, not the gerigedi-like, I mean full salaries. The 30,000 minimum wage PDP failed to implement, he had implemented it long ago.
One of the Kwara monarchs who have recently declared their total support for Governor AbdulRazaq’s re-election is Elerin of Adanla Irese Oba Dr. David Oyerinola Adedunmoye. I know that some people are good at playing down the political relevance of our traditional rulers. In this case, these monarchs do not speak for themselves alone, they speak for their people. As the governorship election draws closer, I won’t be surprise if more monarchs endorse Mallam AbdulRazaq because he is the people’s choice.
Abdulqaudri Mahmud writes from Ilorin East LGA, Zango Ward, Ilorin Kwara state
