Kwara State government takes over land belonging to ex-Senate President, Bukola Sarak

[Edoman]

Kwara State government takes over land belonging to ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki's late father






The Kwara State Government has taken over a piece of land owned by the Saraki Family in Ilorin saying it will be used for a new secretariat for civil servants.
 
Chief Press Secretary to Kwara Governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye announced the decision Friday, December 27th saying the land was originally meant for Government Secretariat and parking space of the Civil Service Clinic, but was unlawfully allocated to a private firm, Asa Investments Limited, without any record of payment to the state government.  
 
Part of the land, situated beside the Civil Service Clinic, is also right in front of late Dr Olusola Saraki’s residence. The senior Saraki built a house and named it ‘Ile Arugbo’ (elderly peoples’ home).
 
According to the statement, no certificate of occupancy was issued in favour of Asa Investments Limited. The statement explained that the government has now made provisions for the secretariat in the 2020 budget, although its construction will spill over to 2021.  
 

“Hundreds of civil servants still operate from rented apartments at a huge cost to the government. The new secretariat, once completed in 2021, will definitely go a long way to end this unhealthy trend as well as provide a more conducive and decent working environment for government workers,” the statement said.

Ajakaiye added that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has signed an instrument withdrawing the allocation of plots of land 1, 3 and 5 to the firm. He said that the said land was unlawfully appropriated contrary to the purpose for which it was meant.  
 
The spokesman added that the governor’s decision followed a resolution of the State House of Assembly urging him to reclaim the land because it was arbitrarily taken over in the 1990s without any evidence of payment by the company, even though the land was meant for public use. 
 
The governor noted in the revocation order that the land was originally meant for the construction of another phase of the Kwara State Civil Service Secretariat and a parking space for both the civil service clinic and the secretariat.

The revocation order read: “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999 and Section 1 and 28 of the Land Use Act Cap. L.5 of 2004 and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State of Nigeria, give the following notice:  
“The Notice may be cited as the Land Use (Revocation of Right of Occupancy and withdrawal of allocation) Notice, 2019. Allocation of plots of land 1, 3 and 5 TPS/MISC 129 to Asa Investment (Nig) Ltd. which is meant for the Kwara State Secretariat.  
“The land, specifically and more described in survey No. KwSH 927 and Land/G1071 situated and lying beside Civil Service Clinic on Ilofa Road Ilorin, Kwara State, is hereby revoked and withdrawn for overriding public interest for use of the purpose it is originally meant for:  
“The construction of Kwara State Secretariat; parking space for civil service clinic and the Kwara State Secretariat and annex to the Civil Service when upgraded to a hospital. That the plots allocated are hereby declared void. Notice is therefore given to you, Asa Investments Nigeria Limited, that the plots of land 1, 3 and 5 TPS/MISC 129 allocated to you and any title on the land whatsoever are hereby revoked and the allocation is withdrawn for overriding public interest,” it read in part.

[Edoman]

Revocation Of Late Saraki’s Land: ‘Abdulrasaq Has Crossed The Line’ - Saraki

December 28, 2019

PRESS STATEMENT

Revocation of Late Saraki’s Land: ‘Abdulrasaq Has Crossed the Line’

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has stated that Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has crossed the line of decency with his recent efforts to erase the legacies of his (Saraki’s) late father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

Saraki, in a statement he personally signed and released in Lagos today, stated that the war of attrition waged against the legacy of his father and everything that belongs to the late politician simply portrayed the Governor as a man who lacks the sense of history and set out only to fight the Saraki family but not to serve the interest of Kwarans.

“Yesterday night, the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq finally showed his true colour when he announced his decision to revoke the ownership of a property rightfully held by my late father, Dr. Olusola Abubakar Saraki on Plots 1, 3 and 5 Ilofa Road, GRA, Ilorin popularly known as Ile Arugbo, (Old People’s home) which since the Second Republic, has always been used to host the weekly gathering of a multitude of aged people in the society who are provided food, money and health services, as part of the social welfare programme sponsored by the late politician. The tradition has since been maintained.

“Before now, this same Governor had invited all the members of the State House of Assembly and directed them to commence the process of amending the law to change the name of the State University which the last administration renamed after my late father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki. He then followed up on this act of vengeance by initiating a bill to rename the University and expunge the name of the late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki. Now, he has decided to also revoke the titles of the landed property which belongs to the late politician. May be, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq thinks his will be the last administration in Kwara State but definitely, this is self delusion.

“The property had been rightfully allocated to my late father under the name of one of his companies, Asa Investment Limited, since the 1980s and contrary to the claim of the Governor, the land was properly allocated and a Right of Occupancy title issued on it. It should be noted that the excuse given by Abdulrazaq in his revocation order holds no water since it is clear that this is the height of his vengeance against my father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki and I.

“Till today, many Kwarans have been wondering what problem the Governor has with the late Oloye Abubakar Olusola Saraki or what the late politician did to offend him. It is surprising that of all vacant plots of land in strategic places across Ilorin township, the one that Abdulrahman found useful for his vengeful plan is the one owned by late Dr. Saraki. It is beyond comprehension why a Governor would set as his main agenda the objective of undermining and waging a war of attrition against a man who is no longer around.

“This action is clearly a manifestation of vengeance and it shows that this Governor is not out to serve any public purpose or pursue any development agenda. In his narrow-mindedness, he believes his victory at the polls is an empowerment, entitlement and enablement to settle scores, provoke and pursue inter-family rivalry. Those who voted for the party in power in Kwara State and Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq obviously did not vote for the man to enable him wage war against Dr. Olusola Saraki and his legacies. They expected development and fulfillment of promises.

“If the Governor believes people are not taking stock of his misguided and deceptive actions and that because he is in power, he could do whatever he likes, he must be a joker. Also, this war against the Sarakis will not successfully veil his unpreparedness for governance and divert people’s attention from the glaring lack of visionary, clear-cut plan to deliver on his empty promises to the people. He definitely cannot get away with all the atrocities he has been committing.

“Since the outcome of the elections in March, despite the fact that there are clear grounds to challenge the results in court, I have decided to demonstrate maturity, statemanship and sportsmanship. I have chosen not to make comment on the policies, programmes and actions of the administration in Kwara State or that of its head. Also, I deliberately stayed away from the State to avoid creating any distraction for the administration. My decision is borne out of a genuine restraint to enable the administration settle down and fulfill its numerous promises to the people of our state.

“However, seven months down the line, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has shown that its cardinal Programme is to wage war against my late father and I. He has demonstrated that his only competence and astuteness is in the area of viciously assailing the late Oloye Saraki and I. Definitely, he is a man with no sense of history. Enough is enough. Now, he has crossed the line.

“Perhaps, I should let it be known that if Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq thinks he is taking all these actions to get at me, he is only deceiving himself. There is no basis for competition between us. Our paths cannot cross because the status that he is struggling to attain, Almighty Allah has given it to me many years before now. I became Governor 16 years before him and served out my constitutional limit of eight years. Within the period, I was Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum. I have moved on to serve in the federal legislature and by the grace of God, I headed the National Assembly as the number three man in the country. No matter, how well he tried to rewrite history, it is on record that I left Kwara State a lot better than I met it. In fact, the University that he is struggling to rename was established by my administration as just one out of many legacies we left behind. This Governor needs a lot more efforts, years, Intelligence and resources to attain the level Allah has taken me, not to talk of my late father, Dr. Olusola Abubakar Saraki, the Senate Leader in the Second Republic. As Governor, I used the position to serve the people and during the period I did not dishonour his own father or anybody’s father for that matter.

“Just as I did after the election, my advise to Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq that he should devote his time and energy to providing good governance and genuine development of the state.

“It is well known to the Governor that I fear nobody, except Almighty Allah, the ultimate owner of all powers. With all his subterranean and open moves against my family, person and property, I remain unmoved. However, his open antagonism against my late father and his legacies is unwarranted and will not be tolerated. He has definitely gone beyond bounds as he cannot be allowed to ride roughshod on the deceased. In this war against my late father, he will not win.

“This Governor has shown that he is not a man who wants peace, co-operation and development. He believes that a constant attack on my family and I is all that he needs to win the hearts of Kwara people. The need to provide good governance is secondary to him.

“However, it should be made clear to Abdulrazaq and his administration that their attack on my late father cannot erase the legacies of Oloye. No evil design, negative plot or propaganda can successfully rewrite the history of Kwara State. This plot against my late father will not stand. And I will like to make it clear that we will contest this petty, malicious, dubious and bias action of a parochial, vicious and vindictive administration through all legal means. We are sure this is not an action taken in public interest. Rather, it is done in pursuit of a selfish and devious objective”, Saraki stated.

Signed

Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON

Former President of the Senate

[Edoman]

There's no evidence Saraki family paid for the land we revoked - Kwara State Government explains






The Kwara state bureau of lands says the Saraki family did not make payment for a piece of land it occupied in Ilorin the state capital.  
 
The state government in December took over the land, saying it was originally designated for the construction of a secretariat and the parking lot of the civil service clinic. Bukola Saraki, former senate president, said the land was duly allocated and that a right of occupancy was issued on it.  
 
However, Ibrahim Salman, director-general of the bureau of lands, in a statement on Wednesday, refuted this claim.

“The entire land was acquired in the 1970s for Overriding Public Interest and same was initially designed to host the phase II of the State Secretariat. The construction of the said State Secretariat Phase II was actually commenced and it was at superstructure level before same was abandoned,” he said.
“The entire land was later redesigned in the 1980s for the construction of a Civil Service Clinic, State Secretariat, and a parking lot for both the Clinic and the State Secretariat.  
“The Clinic was subsequently constructed in 1982, while the remaining plots of land were conceived for the expansion of the Clinic into a full-fledged Hospital. The dream of the State Government was stalled when part of the land slated for the parking lot was spuriously allocated in principle to one Asa Investment for commercial purpose.  
“From available records, the allocation was not based on a formal application, nor application forms filled; there was no evidence of payment for the said allocation as stipulated in the letter of allocation in principle and consequently, no right of occupancy was ever issued to the Company.  
“Furthermore, in flagrant abuse of the allocation terms, the company took possession of the land and constructed what is today known as “Ile Arugbo” on part of the land that was designed as parking lot and later conceived to host the expansion of the Civil Service Clinic into a full-fledged Hospital.”

He said following a resolution of the Kwara state house of assembly mandating the government to revoke the allocation, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of the state signed an instrument to reclaim the land on the grounds that it was unlawfully allocated.  
 
He said the statement issued is to state the facts on the land as contained in the records of the bureau.

[Edoman]

Kwara Government Demolishes Saraki's Popular Family House "Ile Arugbo"



The Kwara State government announced that it will demolish the popular family house of the Sarakis last month. The decision generated heated controversies between the followers of Sen. Bukola  Saraki and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The decision was reached after a panel by the Kwara State government recommended that the house be demolished because it was acquired illegally. The demolition was done over the night and the once celebrated house popularly known as "Ile Arugbo" now lies in ruins.

The land will now be used for the construction of a secretariat by the government.
Many aged women staged multiple protests and kept vigil at the house before it was demolished over night.
The state government plans to build a secretariat on the land in 2020.

https://ngg.ng/2020/01/02/photos-kwara-government-demolishes-sarakis-popular-family-house-ile-arugbo/

[Edoman]

Kwara Government speaks on why Saraki’s ‘political home’ was demolished before dawn






The Kwara State Government has revealed why it demolished Saraki's political home popularly known as “Ile Arúgbó” in Ilorin in the early hours of Thursday January 2, 2020. 
 
Kwara state's commissioner of communications, Murtala Olanrewaju said the demolition began quite early to avoid 'needless' protests. He also debunked claims of the state government receiving a court order stopping the demolition as he appealed to residents of the state to remain calm. 
 
The statement read in parts; 
 

“The Kwara State Government early today began the physical reclamation of the plot of land bordering the civil service clinic in Ilorin. 

“The reclamation exercise began in the early hours of Thursday to avoid any needless confrontation. Attempts by some persons to provoke government’s agents on lawful duty were resisted by the security agents who exercised the highest level of restraint and professionalism. 

“Contrary to the claim that the State Government was served court papers on the matter, we state that no court paper has been served as at the time the government took steps to preserve what lawfully belongs to the people.

“Finally, we urge the people of the state to remain calm, peaceful, and be guided only by facts of the matter and not be drawn into an emotional outburst that is targeted at distracting the public from the issues at stake.

“While the administration is focused on restoring sanity to the state after years of barefaced impunity, we will do so within the limit of the law.”

[Edoman]

Gbemisola Saraki Breaks Silence On Ile Arugbo" Demolition, Comdemns Gov's Action


SURELY THOSE WHO COME TO EQUITY MUST COME WITH CLEAN HANDS"

THE DEMOLITION OF ILE ARUGBO

At 3:00am Thursday 2nd of January 2020, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, gave orders to the Police to open fire on aged women, at the contested welfare home, popularly known as "Ile Arugbo" (Home for Aged), owned by my father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

As a staunch and loyal member of APC, I have kept quiet to date on the happenings in my state, Kwara State. I had done this for a number of reasons including trying to "keep my head when all about me are losing theirs". But all in all, I had kept quiet, as being a loyal member and supporter of the party, i did not want to get into any squabble with the Governor despite so many provocations.

Again, as a loyal and dedicated daughter of my father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, whom I hold in very high esteem, I did not want to express my opinion on the propriety of the Governor's recent political actions as it would be seen as biased because the late Waziri is my father.

However, given the turn of events and the violent nature of the Governor's position, it is only right for me to speak now.
There might have been some elements within my party, APC, who wanted to change the OToGe narrative ofthe 2019 elections to be about the Sarakis, and not about what it was — the removal of a failing PDP Administration.

But clearly by some recent steps taken, especially with Thursday's actions, Kwara State APC must be careful to not allow a few elements with their own agenda, other than governance, to turn their personal vendetta into the official
position of APC in the State. They must not be allowed to hijack the narrative of what our party stands for.

The APC has, since its inception, preached and worked earnestly for genuine good governance, security, increased welfare, progress and development of the people, as exemplified by President Muhammadu Buhari, who in the face of direct provocation and deep personal attacks remains true to the oath he took to govern ALL Nigerians, in spite of allegiances.

That is why it is important that my silence is not misconstrued as tacit approval or support for the actions taken by the Governor.

As stated earlier, I chose to refrain from commenting on the onset of this landsaga and did so for three reasons:

(1) I believed that this was a matter that would go through the rightful forum and due process to ascertain and establish my father's legal rights or otherwise.

(2) My family individually and/or collectively have NEVER derived and continue not to derive ANY commercial benefit from that piece of land. At the end ofthe day, what is on that land is nothing — no block of flats that the family is getting rent from; no office building, no factory, or any other commercial venture. Just a bungalow where the old women gather and get their basic needs attended to.

(3) Nonetheless, were my father alive today, surely, he would have been saddened to see bulldozers in Ile Arugbo. However, I am comforted by the knowledge that my father's good work and his respect, support and love for the aged, which was sadly lacking in the Governor's activities of Thursday, simply cannot be erased by demolishing a bungalow. When it comes down to it, Ile Arugbo is a piece of bare land that holds symbolic value of what my father stood for — humanitarianism, and that doesn't start nor end with a building.

But after the events of Thursday when the aged women were tear gassed and shot at in the wee hours of the morning (3:00AM), I do not want my silence to be misconstrued, as mischief makers have used that silence to attribute false statements allegedly made by me.

The level of force and violence that the Governor chose to adopt was totally unwarranted. What resistance to protest justifies firing live ammunition and tear gassing old women? Even my own personal home was not left out of the attack as numerous empty bullet shell casings and dispersed tear gas cannisters were found inside my home.

I feel that at this point not only as a child ofthe late Waziri but as a member of the APC, I need to speak. I do so not only as a daughter but as a member of the party, to ensure that those thousands of members of APC who are Sarakites that supported the OToGe Movement are not alienated. In addition, I do so to ensure that the resounding victory that APC enjoyed in Kwara is not short-lived or diminished.

Governments acquire properties, even compulsorily without necessarily resorting to unprovoked violent attacks in the dead of night. It is especially disrespectful to me personally, as a member ofthe APC since 2015, who welcomed and supported those who only joined us a couple of months to the elections, which includes the Governor himself, that my position as a member of the party was not given any consideration and/or regard when approaching this issue.

Furthermore, given how well and how long I have personally known the Governor beyond Kwara State, so much so that I have always regarded him as one of my older brothers. Even in the political arena, over the years, we have known each other as political opponents and allies and I have always accorded him respect which he has not accorded me.

As one of the APC leaders in the State, I have consulted broadly and have also sent messages appealing to party members not to be provoked by this unwarranted assault on my late father. I do this with all sense of responsibility so that party cohesion and unity is not undermined by arbitrariness to rush into an attempt to settle perceived old generational family political scores. Revenge cannot be a policy thrust of governance.

I am also using this opportunity to appeal to our teeming supporters to remain calm and poised and maintain peace in the face of unwarranted provocation. "Allah Bring about ease after difficulty" Q 65 vrs 7.

I condemn in totality the actions taken on Thursday 2nd January 2020 by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, especially unleashing terror and mayhem on innocent defenceless aged women simply exercising their right to peacefully protest.

I call upon the Inspector General of Police to call the State Commissioner of Police to order — using security agencies and live ammunition to settle political and personal scores is NOT what the Buhari Administration is about.

We must stand up against vindictive politics, driven by envy, motivated by jealousy and practiced without integrity.

SEN. GBEMISOLA RUQAYYAH SARAKI

[Edoman]

POLITICS
E-X-P-O-S-E-D..Ile-Arugbo: Bukola Saraki did more harms to his late father— Awoyale

 2 hours 

 January 6, 2020

Chief Gbenga Awoyale, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress,  (APC) is the President-General of the Orisun Igbomina, a socio-cultural group in the Kwara South Senatorial District. In this interview, he reacts to the current political turmoil in the state and other issues of interest. Excerpts:

What is your assessment of the current administration in Kwara State?

The situation in Kwara state is first of its kind as far as the ongoing political dispensation is concern. The state governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq , is highly focused and passionate about developing the state with tremendous projects across the three senatorial districts of the state.

He has worked beyond any successive government since the inception of the current democratic dispensation just within six months of his administration. I was surprised when I heard that the governor approved just N20million for the rehabilitation of the Ilorin township roads.

He was able to use the money judiciously and you will agree with me now that there are no potholes in the state capital unlike how the immediate past government left everything undone despite the huge amount budgeted for road projects. It is quite unfortunate that some unscrupulous elements are working hard for his failure even up to the point of preparing ahead of 2023.

Our findings have revealed that some disloyal members of the All Progressives Congress,  (APC) are already working assiduously with opposition members who are loyal to the immediate past Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. There are evidences and facts to that effect as they have many cyber rats working for them on social media platforms hired to be  criticising Abdulrahman’s government.

These are enough evidences to let you know that they have made up their minds to work together in 2023. Their failure started when their attempt to impose their loyal candidate to become the Speaker of the Kwara  State House of Assembly was foiled even without contributing any meaningful efforts to his political victory during the last general elections.

Instead, they used the money meant for political campaigns to enrich themselves and worked against him on so many occasions but fortunately for Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq,  the people of Kwara State have made up their minds to join him in the liberation struggle from the aged- long wilderness of poverty, mismanagement of resources and bad governance.

Surprisingly, after failing in his speakership bid, the lawmaker has finally become a regular radio producer inciting the people against the government.  However, it has come to the notice of Kwarans that this set of people who are members disloyal APC members also possess the same elements of questionable characters just like the political actor who was retired forcefully by Kwarans (Bukola Saraki) and whose wall of Jericho has been collapsed by the masses.

Why are you so much concern about Bukola Saraki’s political dynasty or was there anything between both of you ?

As a human being, I like Bukola Saraki because he is also a God’s creature but what I don’t like about him is his rude characters, selfish attitudes and enslavery policy which has drew Kwara state back among its contemporaries in Nigeria.

I have never been to him for any favour, you can ask him. Many people usually misunderstand Bukola’s attitudes with that of his father, late Dr. Olusola Saraki of blessed memory. They are two different  personalities . While Baba Saraki was Pro -masses, Bukola Saraki has over the years demonstrated that he belongs to the Anti-masses bloc.

Unfortunately Bukola Saraki personally destroyed his fathers legacies. He made the man to weep profusely before he eventually died. He created avoidable hatred,  division and enemity in the family before the demise of the highly respected political kingmaker whose tolerance,  love and affection for the masses knows-no- bound.

He had genuine respect for the young and old, his regards for traditional institutions was superb and his love for material things was at the lowest ebb. After destroying Kwara State, Bukola Saraki went ahead the National Assembly to forcefully hijack power to become the President of the Senate.

He ended up disgracing himself after several attempts to put the Executive arms and President Muhammadu Buhari in particular to shame. He left the national assembly with no meaningful achievements. His tenure was characterized by different court cases and because of his unpatriotic and diplomatic leadership and qualities, he failed Nigerians woefully.

His father’s reign as political godfather last long due to his humility and respect for constituted authorities unfortunately, Bukola Saraki is arrogant and he couldn’t survive the heat of his bad leadership for even a decade.

Therefore, Bukola Saraki is unrepentant and he is not worthy of flying the flag of Saraki’s political dynasty. He humiliated his father to death, he denied his sister of achieving her political ambition, he acquired property more than he needed in life and set bad precedence of allowances and parting gift of houses for former governors just to suit his personal interests.

The Kwara State government recently revoked and demolished Ile-Arugbo, an acclaimed property own by the Saraki’s family.  What is your take on it?

Thank you for asking this question. Infact, the issue of Ile-Arugbo is one of the most trending news globally because the family that is concerned in the matter are only crying wolves. The simple solution to the matter is for them to present evidence of payment or ownership documents of the property.

Sparing them in this case will amount to partiality by the government and let me tell you the truth, I will be first person to drag Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to court for aiding and abetting lawlessness and because the Bureau of Lands has made it known to the general public that no evidence of payment or ownership was presented by the Saraki family.

Therefore, why are they tying to lay claim to what doesn’t belong to them? It is an absurd to the mentality of entire Kwarans. Encroaching government property is even a criminal offence in the court of law.

In addition, this is a building where so many innocent lives have been wasted untimely. Infact, there is need to probe the circumstances that had led to the death of people in that house. For you to know how selfish they are, they never thought that liberation will soon come to the State so soon.

The matter at hand now is not about Saraki family or Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, it is about our dear State of Harmony, Kwara and the future of children yet unborn.

What is your reaction to the moves by the Kwara State House of Assembly to repeal the law that changed the name of Kwara State University to Olusola Saraki University?

To me, the move is in order and to be specific, it is peoples oriented. What has Saraki contributed to educational development of the State.

He was never an academician, he was never an orator neither was he was never a proprietor of any school.
Because Bukola Saraki want to honour his father whom he humiliated to death, decided to change the name of a university built with Tax payers’ money to his father’s name. He never new he has caused his father unredeemable public insults.  Come to think of it, findings have revealed that the present Kwara State with Ilorin as the State capital, was created through the patriotic zeal and dogged efforts of the duo of Late Chief J. S. Olawoyin and Alhaji A.G.F. AbdulRazaq (SAN).

After 29th July, 1966 coup, Gen. Hassan Usman Kastina, the then Military Governor of the Northern Nigeria convened a meeting of leaders of thoughts in Kaduna. Chief J. S. Olawoyin and Alhaji A.G.F. AbdulRazaq (SAN) were invited to represent Ilorin Province at the meeting.

It was at one of the sessions of the meeting that Chief J. S. Olawoyin moved a motion that both Ilorin and Kabba province be merged and created as a state with headquarters at Ilorin instead of Lokoja. The motion was seconded by Alhaji A.G.F. AbdulRazaq.
On 27th May, 1967, Kwara was created as Central West State. The name was later changed to Kwara State. Major D. L. Bamigboye from Irepodun Local Government Area was then appointed as the first Military Governor.

The question is; if any of the state owned establishment is to be named after our past leaders in Kwara, what qualifies Dr. Olusola Saraki better than the great men mentioned in the history above?

Although, I saw all these lingering crises coming long before now in 2014 when Bukola Saraki planned to join APC. I knew the relationship won’t last because of the difference s in their ideologies. He has caused Baba Saraki more harms than anyone. He needs to repent and publicly apologise to Kwarans for his misdeeds.


What is the state of infrastructural development in Kwara under the current administration?

Despite huge fund earmarked for projects by the last administration, no meaningful success was recorded by the Abdulfatah Ahmed-led government. There were potholes all over the state capital and he eventually established IFK-Fund which was used as conduit pipe to siphon government money.


To the glory of God, no potholes in Ilorin again and most of the abandoned projects have been completed across the State by the Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s government in less than 3-6months in office.


The past government has crippled the popular amusement park which is one of the heritage of Kwara state. It has become a jungle and hideout for miscreants. In fact, with my age, I remembered visiting amusement park when I was young during festivals.
It is our hope that the current government will revisit the ownership process of this property and return it back to its appropriate shape among other heritage.


For instance, projects the dual carriage road along Old Jebba road, State Secretariat township roads across Kwara  south and Kwara North have  been completed while the multi-billionaire Geri Alimi underpass constructed by Ahmed-led government is currently undergoing renovation by the current administration.

[Edoman]

Police deny participating in demolition of Saraki's property






The Kwara State Police Command has denied particpating in the demolition of late Olusola Saraki's property in llorin, which has generated mixed reactions. 
 
In a statement released by the State's Police Spokesperson DSP Okansani Ajayi, the Kwara State Police Command dispelled reports of policemen shooting life ammunitions and firing teargas canisters at the scene of the demolition exercise.
 
Ajayi also revealed that the State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun ordered a full scale investigation into the demolition exercise to determine the veracity of the claims. 
 
The statement read in parts; 
 

“Our anti-crime deployment during this period has nothing to do with any demolition exercise in the state.

“It is therefore shocking to the commissioner of police to hear the news of policemen shooting life ammunitions and firing teargas canisters at the scene of a demolition exercise.

“For the purpose of emphasis, the command wishes to immediately dispel the insinuations that the men reported having been firing indiscriminately during the demolition exercise were deployed by the Kwara state police command.

“No policeman was deployed by the command for any demolition exercise anywhere in the state and no policeman deployed for anticrime duties during the Christmas and new year celebrations fired a single shot of ammunition or canister during this period.

“The command hereby for the umpteen time wishes to reiterate the irrevocable commitment of the commissioner of police to principles of fairness, justice and the rule of law while making police service available and accessible to the people of Kwara state."

[Edoman]

Court halts further demolition of Saraki’s property






A Kwara State High Court has issued an ex-parte injunction restraining the Kwara State Government from further demolition of late Olusola Saraki’s property.
 
Recall that in the last few days, the demolition of Ile Arugbo which served as the political home of the late Kwara politician sparked off mixed reactions. 
 
In the judgement delivered in Ilorin on Monday January 6, the Kwara state government was ordered not to go near the land “either to construct or do anything on the land pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.”
 
However one of the Saraki's family’s lawyers, Abdulazeez Ibrahim told The Nation that the court injunction is yet to be served to the parties involved because it was obtained almost at the close of work on Monday. 
 
He said; 
 

“It was true that we secured a court injunction against the state government, but it took place at the closing hours, so no enroll order was available for the concerned parties."

 
The Kwara State Government also confirmed that it has not been served the court order. Also making a clarification on the controversial demolition, the state's Communication Commissioner, Murtala Olanrewaju told Premium Times that the demolished building was used for political gathering and “not any home belonging to old people”.
 
He said; 
 

“Contrary to the claims by the opposition, the physical reclamation of the property by the government on 2 January 2020 was without any incident. Nobody was met on the property. It was never a place where people lived in, so the question of ejecting, maltreating or deploying violence against anyone did not arise. No court process has been served on the government.
"The whole narrative about government demolishing old people’s home was a fabrication by the opposition to cover up for their lack of any document confirming their ownership of the property bordering the civil service clinic in Ilorin, the state capital.
“The property is one of the over 100 government assets in GRA, Ilorin Kwara State, Victoria Island Lagos, Kaduna, and Abuja investigated by the Asset Recovery Committee led by Senator Suleiman Ajadi, which were unlawfully converted to private use. Until its physical reclamation, the property comprised only of sheds."

[Edoman]

Governor Abdulrazak and Saraki family to settle out of court over Ile Arugbo demolition







Kwara state government and the Saraki family have agreed to settle out of court over the demolition of  Ile-Arugbo which was built by late Olusola Saraki. 
 
Lawyers to both parties told Justice Abiodun Adewara on Friday January 24, that they've resolved to settle out of court and have also fixed a meeting on January 27 to resolve all issues amicably.
 
Justice Adewara who commended Kwara State government and Saraki family for choosing to resolve the issue without acrimony, also told them to give peace a chance and discuss an amicable resolution of the dispute.
 
The Federal High Court Judge further adjourned the case till March 2, 2020, for report on the settlement.
 
The political home of Olusola Saraki, late father of former Senate President Bukola Saraki was demolished by the Kwara state government following the revocation of the land.
 
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the land originally designated for the construction of a secretariat and parking lot of the civil service clinic, was illegally allocated to Asa Investments Limited, a private firm owned by the late father of the ex-senate president.