The deceased controlled Kwara politics for decades, making him one of Nigeria’s most effective political godfathers

A son of the deceased former strongman of Kwara politics, Olusola Saraki, has given indication of what caused his father’s death.

Olaolu Saraki, the last child of the deceased, told reporters at the late politician’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, that his father battled cancer for years.

“He has been battling with cancer for about 5 years. He was fine this morning. He said his prayers but he died around 6a.m.,” Olaolu said.

The late Mr. Saraki was a philanthropist who was very popular among the poor people of Ilorin, the state capital, where he was referred to as “Baba Oloye.”

Very few politicians since the return on democracy controlled their state politics the way Mr. Saraki had firm grip on that of his native Kwara.

An effective political kingmaker

The deceased was the leader of the Nigerian Senate between 1979 and 1983. He was elected under the National Party of Nigeria.

Since then, he and his family had dominated the politics of Kwara State installing various public officials from councillors to governors; and ensuring the exit of those who refused to do his bidding.

In 1999, upon the return of democracy after several years of military dictatorship, Mr. Saraki ensured that his party, the All Peoples Party, won the state’s gubernatorial election and installed his protégée, Mohammed Lawal, as governor.

But it was not long before the governor and his godfather fell out. Mr Saraki acted swiftly, ensuring the late Mr. Lawal was not reelected. He then dumped the APP for the Peoples Democratic Party.

Despite Mr. Lawal’s acumen and military background, the deceased proved his control over Kwara politics was no fluke when he ensured that his erstwhile unknown son, Bukola Saraki, emerged the candidate of the PDP and defeated the incumbent in a fiercely contested election.

The younger Saraki would go on to lead the state for the next eight years, after winning a re-election in 2003, with the support of his father.

Father, Son battle for control

A crisis, however, began between father and son as the deceased wanted his son to be succeeded as governor by another child: his daughter, Gbemisola Saraki, who was then Senator.

The governor, who had spent his maximum two terms in office, would have none of it.

The family disagreement, which surprised many Nigerians, led to the deceased and his daughter leaving the PDP for another party to actualize Gbemisola’s ambition.

By the time the election came in 2011, the deceased was too old and sick to effectively challenge his son’s growing political influence on the state. When he returned from abroad shortly before the election, his efforts to rally support for his daughter with campaigns round the state were unsuccessful. The PDP candidate and protégée of Bukola won the governorship election.

The godfather was floored by his own son.

That was the first time a candidate supported by the elder Saraki would lose elections in Kwara in almost two decades.

Senator eulogises father

Bukola Saraki, who contested and emerged a Senator after two terms as governor has confirmed his father’s death.

Mr. Saraki said the family will “take solace in knowing that our father lived an exemplary life of service, and selfless devotion to development of his people and nation.”

“Baba will be sorely missed,” he added.

The deceased is expected to be buried on Wednesday at 4.00 p.m. according to Islamic rites.

The Kwara State Government has also declared three days of mourning for the deceased.

Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/107024-saraki-may-have-died-of-cancer.html

He was a selfish man who imposed his children on the people of Kwara state.

vanity upon vanity. May his soul rest in peace

May Olushola Saraki's soul rest in the most hottest place in Hell.

How can we forget the atrocities he committed in Nigeria that sent a lot of people to their early grave because he thought he would live forever by using his 419 bank to rob people of their hard earned money.

May Devil rob him of peace in Hell.

"May have " indeed
Dem don kill am.

JUST PASSING!!!!!

May Allah 4give his sins and grant him janah

NA UNA SABI O

If not cancer then "brief illness"

6ft is a key. R.I.P

Am not God but i know that Saraki will never rest in peace.

azezola: May Allah 4give his sins and grant him janah

Do Allah forgive after one is dead and grant him access to janah?

The best we can say is RIP.

Somuch for a political godfather who wanted his offspring to feed on governments money all the days of their lives!

Thank God he's gone. More to go.



Frawzey

May God forgive him all his sins and grant him heavenly life.

RIP. And to you all wishing him hell, I wonder if you won't eventually be neighbours with him.

operation sweep godfather

dejust: May God forgive him all his sins and grant him heavenly life.

No repentance in the grave, and certainly not for that damn fellow who is right now, cleaning out his accommodation space in hell fire.

We are all from Allah and to him is our final return . May Allah receive his migration.

may his soul rest in peace,
vanity upon vanity. a lesson to others.

who cares!
after all,with his selfish attitude,he sent many young and vibrant youth out of kwara state in serching of greener pasture in lagos and living large numbers of civil servant with little to share.federal allocation na hin parlour,job allocation,na hin parlour.people ate three meals at ile loke,his personal GRA home in ilorin and he take the pictures sent it to saudi and some foreign countries for help and financial grants.this is how he made his money.he really librates ilorin people and abandoned the kwara south.ANY HOW

Just maybe

That says that olushola Saraki move to another party to support his daughter "Gbemi Saraki" is a scam, the Man is old n know e will soon die and e want his son "Bukola Saraki" to be godfather of PDP dats y e left d party 4 him, Bukola watch ur back we cannot worship father and den the son, u guys vagabond of ogun state, ur days re numbered in Ilorin, we know d trick ur father played in last politics, so be prepare to leave, as for you olushola Saraki is God that will judge u, because no past Governor in Kwara State after was able to account 4 anytin, dats wat ur bastard son is doing to Fatai "present Governor" now. Bukola u re finished

He was our family doctor in late 60s and earlier 70s. May his soul R I P.

[size=20pt]HOW DOES AFFECT THE COST OF LIVING IF HE LIKE HE SHOULD DIE OF HIV THATS THE SARAKI'S PROBLEMS [/size]

modicum: He was a selfish man who imposed his children on the people of Kwara state.

you are a goat. Borndunce

modicum: May Olushola Saraki's soul rest in the most hottest place in Hell.

How can we forget the atrocities he committed in Nigeria that sent a lot of people to their early grave because he thought he would live forever by using his 419 bank to rob people of their hard earned money.

May Devil rob him of peace in Hell.

back to sender in JesusName. Ur curse is multiplied back upon ur head in JesusName. Goathead

All our money for SGBN ....

azezola: May Allah 4give his sins and grant him janah

amen. Godbless you

Ten Kobo: Am not God but i know that Saraki will never rest in peace.

and you too.as u have typed so shall it be for you in JesusName

AB$I:
and you too.as u have typed so shall it be for you in JesusName

are you a SON of Saraki COS i ready Kill you

Goodbye&goodnite Great Oloye Waziri. AlmightyAllah will grant you Eternal Peace,Mercy&Rest in His Bosom.we shall miss you greatly our Great Leader,Father,Teacher,Master, Sherpherd,god&father of our Great Leader AKA ABS AKA His Excellency Senator Dr Abubakar Bukola $araki CON. WE LOVE YOU FOREVER

another rest in peace thread.na so so bad news.but it is good that this old generation of corrupt politicians are going one by one ,lets see what we the younger one can do positively to uplift naija