Ilorin Emirate Descendants
Progressive Union (IEDPU)
yesterday urged political
leaders in the country to
consider Senator Bukola
Saraki for the seat of
Senate President.
Addressing reporters in
Ilorin, President of IEDPU,
Alhaji Abdulhamid Adi said
that Kwara and Kogi state
have not been opportune
to occupy the exalted
position.
Alhaji Adi added that: “We
are therefore deeply
concerned that within
Northern political
arrangement to which
Ilorin Emirate squarely
belongs with all
commitment and loyalty,
the area is continuously
being marginalized for
unspecified reasons.
“The present North Central
Zone comprises the old
Kwara, old Benue Plateau
and part of old North
Western state (within the
old 12 state structure).
While the old Benue
Plateau has produced the
longest serving head of
state, three senate
presidents including the
incumbent, the small part
of old North-Western state
(now Niger) has produced
two heads of state, it is
only Kwara state which
makes up Kwara and Kogi
that has not been
fortunate.
“For the purpose of clarity,
our support for Senator
Saraki is not politically
sponsored but borne out
of our conviction that he is
eminently qualified and
can serve the nation
creditably well. Such
support will always be
extended to any other
indigene of the emirate in
similar circumstances
irrespective of political
affiliation.
“This is our honest
position and we therefore
call on all and sundry to
support this stand in the
interest of national
cohesion.”
IEDPU president added that
the senator is noted for
fairness, equity and
adherence to principle in
political offices.
Reeling out the former
governor’s qualities, Alhaji
Adi said “he successfully
governed his
heterogeneous state for
eight years during which
he performed creditably
well as chairman of
governors’ forum. Indeed,
it was due to his
administrative sagacity and
political dexterity that the
novel body became
glamorous, enviable to the
extent that its
chairmanship has become
competitive.
“The former governor of
the state like his father, is a
bridge builder, highly
detribalized and a listening
politician. On different
occasions, the union has
had cause to disagree with
government policies at the
state level and the
gentleman had regularly
shown understanding and
maturity in handling such
matters.”

https://informationengine./2015/05/13/ilorin-emirate-backs-up-bukola-saraki-for-senate-presidency/