How often does hegemony fade into obscurity? In politics, more times than can be imagined! Consider the story of Senator Bukola Saraki who, once a towering figure in Kwara State politics, continues to lose his grip on power with each passing election cycle.
From his days as a former governor to his tenure as senate president, Saraki commanded respect and admiration, synonymous with the political dynasty he inherited from his father, the late Senator Olusola Saraki. However, recent events paint a different picture, one of dwindling relevance.
Critics speculate that the winds of change began to blow after he departed from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Therefore, when Saraki’s stronghold in Kwara was dismantled in the 2023 presidential elections, with the APC emerging victorious in all 16 local government areas, it became clear that Saraki’s influence was not what it used to be.
Of course, even though the 2023 elections may have served as the final nail in the coffin for Saraki’s political influence in Kwara, it was really the weight of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the incumbent governor of Kwara, that started everything.
In the past, the allegations of imposition and dissatisfaction within Kwara’s PDP ranks alienated the party’s stakeholders and sowed discord within the party’s ranks, eroding Saraki’s support base. Against this background, the AbdulRazaq-led administration focused on good governance and prioritisation of welfare issues, which resonated with Kwara residents, particularly civil servants who had experienced delayed promotions and irregular salary payments under previous administrations.
This way, Governor Abdulrazaq’s seemingly total commitment to addressing everyday citizenry concerns bolstered his popularity and dealt a significant blow to Saraki’s political fortunes. And since AbdulRazaq remains on the throne, Saraki is forced to take the role of the political villain, just waiting to spoil everything. At least, that’s what the scene looks like.
So, what comes next for the former Senate President? Will he regain his groove in the state or eventually settle in Abuja where political retirees and those hiding from past failures slink in? Opinions are divided. But all of this shows the fickleness of power and the inevitability of change.
