Why power must shift from Saraki lineage, by Islamic cleric
From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

AN Islamic preacher in Kwara State, Uztas Saanu Shehu, at the weekend canvassed a shift in governorship power from the lineage of influential politician, Dr. Olusola Saraki, come 2011 polls.


http://odili.net/news/source/2009/dec/21/11.html

According to Shehu while delivering a sermon at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) residence of the political icon on the occasion of the 47th birthday celebration of Governor Bukola Saraki, God has so much blessed the family politically that it would only be appropriate for the family to allow capable hands outside the lineage to succeed the incumbent in 2011.

He said, in his short exhortation at the event attended by many dignitaries including the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Joel Ogundeji, the National Secretary of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Kawu Baraje and the Acting Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Ayinla Bamigbola, that the family had produced a House of Representatives member for four years, a Senator for eight years (on completion of her tenure of office), and a two-term in office governor and should, therefore, on moral ground, step aside.

Shehu said: " Clerics whose instructions could not be ignored in this state should shun mundane things and speak the truth at all times, especially in the area of politics. Our celebrant should therefore be careful with their pieces of advice.

"My own advice is that come 2011, let somebody else taste power outside the Saraki family. It is more honourable that way. This family has produced a House of Representatives member for four years, a Senator for eight years, and a Governor for eight years. So the most ideal thing now is to allow somebody else to do it outside that family."

The euphoria that greeted the sermon apparently showed the wish of the political associates of the Sarakis for the 2011 governorship polls in the state.

Even though the governor had intended the celebration to be a low key event, considering the present state of health of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, his associates succeeded in making it big with the presentations of various gift items to the celebrant.

Speaking at the event, the governor commended the people of the state for their supports to his administration, acknowledging that without such supports it would have been difficult for his administration to have the much-needed economic breakthrough.

He thanked God for his achievement in the state as he believed that politicking should always be separated from administration if there must be the much-needed development in any state or nation.

On the on going fuel scarcity across the nation, Saraki attributed it to the inconclusive negotiations between the Federal Government and organised private sector on the issue of the proposed deregulation of the down stream sector of the oil industry.

For Saraki, the on-going Electoral Reforms Bill at the National Assembly, which was the initiative of President Yar'Adua would address whatever may