Sincere 9gerian: ** Dele Belgore and Bukola Saraki in war of words

The crisis threatening to consume the Kwara state All Progressive Congress (APC) took a dangerous dimension with the war of words between Senator Bukola Saraki and Mr. Dele Belgore, a one-time governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in Kwara State.

In an interview conducted by Punch, Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN), who is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, says that the defection of Senator Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed will frustrate the wish of the Kwara people to do away with the duo.

However, in a separate interview by Punch, Mr. Yemi Afoloyan, an aide of Bukola Saraki, says Belgore is "politically impotent".

Here are the responses of Mr. Dele Belgore to some of the questions in that interview:

Q: How would you react to the defection of Dr. Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and their loyalists from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress?

A: Let me say three things. First of all, I have full respect for the position of the national leadership of our party, APC, regarding the defection of the G-7 or G-5 Governors, including the personalities that you have mentioned. And I understand it from a point of view of national politics. Secondly, as a politician answerable to a local base, I am fully conscious and responsive to the yearnings of the local population. Thirdly, yes any move is always welcome, you will also know that it is not just about a movement, or entry, it should be about value added. So you have to look at the value added.

Q: Do you think that these personalities by their entry to APC will add value to the party and to the Kwara residents?

A: I do not think they will add any value whatsoever to the interest and people of Kwarans.

Q: Why do you say so?
They represent stigma that the Kwara State people are trying to get rid of. Kwara People want a change. They want to move away from impoverishment. They want to move away from leadership by selfish few that rob people of their commonwealth for their own selfish needs. Kwarans do not want leaders who say that nobody can get anything in Kwara State or attain any position in Kwara unless I say so. Kwara people do not want to be impoverished. They do not want leaders who rob them of their opportunities. So from that point of that view, I do not believe that Kwara people see that movement as an asset.

Here is what Yemi Afoloyan said about Mr. Dele Belgore in a separate interview:

Q: Mr. Dele Belgore has said the defection of Dr. Bukola Saraki and Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed to the All Progressives Congress is not an asset to the Kwara State residents. How do you react to that?

A: Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN) is a professional lawyer. He knows that profession very well but when it comes to politics and politics of Kwara, he is completely impotent. He does not even know the geography of Kwara State. Though he is a bona-fide son of Ilorin, he does not know what goes on around Kwara. He does not know the poor people. He cannot empathise with them. So how can he talk about what is in the interest of the people he does not know. I am sure that even within the Emirate, there are many places Belgore does not know. Even within Ilorin West Local Government Area, he does not know also some places. And before you do anything for your people, you must know them, their needs and their aspirations. It is true he came into party politics and he contested election in 2011, I will say his contest or entrance into the Kwara governorship race was a misadventure

http://www.punchng.com/politics/crossfire/kwara-wants-to-get-rid-of-saraki-belgore/
http://www.punchng.com/politics/crossfire/belgore-is-politically-impotent-sarakis-aide/

Demdem: Friction like this is not unexpected however I trust Ojuyobos sagacity to pull it through successfully.
They will win eventually.

Sincere 9gerian:
But what do you have to say about the statement made by Dele Belgore? Is Bukola Saraki a "stigma" the Kwara people should get rid of? Is he a progressive?

Demdem:

I leave that to kwara people to decide on Belgores opinion. Saraki empire is so entrenched in kwara and the people seems to be enjoying them.
IMO, am just sceptical and that explains why I will keep watching developments.
What's ur definition of progressives?

How Far?:


Bros is not looking good for apc. Imagine when Buhari is denied he's lifelong ambition? Shekaru and Kwakanso etc.
There's trouble ahead big trouble ahead.

Demdem:

It has never looked good for APC from the beginning. U lot didn't give them a chance.
U all earlier said Tinubu and Buhari can never work together, they prove u wrong.
Again u said, in months after coming together they will scatter, they have proved u wrong.
Next u said regional parties they are, they have proved u wrong again and have become the fastest growing party in the country today threating the core fabrics in Aso rock currently. It seems to me now that Pdp is even becoming a se/ss party.
Continue to hate them while they continue to grow silently.

Kairoseki77:

APC WILL NEVER BE REGISTERED!

jmaine: More are expected . . . .

ilugunboy:

Yes ...more are expected. The chances of PDP going further into the cliff and finally titling over is far more than APC imploding in Kwara or any other part of Nigeria...such is only in the imaginations and wishes of the PDP.

You(APC) are like the unclad man who was so fixated while bending down to make jest of another man exposed ass, while forgeting his was also exposed at the back with a crowd of people poking fun at the view he was rendering behind.

Keep focusing at the PDP while the storm is brewing at the APC, the entropy in the APC is zooming towards chaos before they even stabilized . . .

jmaine:

You(APC) are like the unclad man who was so fixated while bending down to make jest of another man exposed ass, while forgeting his was also exposed at the back with a crowd of people poking fun at the view he was rendering behind.

Keep focusing at the PDP while the storm is brewing at the APC, the entropy in the APC is zooming towards chaos before they even stabilized . . .

ilugunboy:

You don't need rocket science to conclude on the party that the contending forces are diametrical in aspirations.....a party that it members are pulling in different directions.

Keep feigning that all is well in PDP.

jmaine:

The PDP is at the Zenith of their issues and they are paddling well no matter how rough it looks. The PDP is also averse wit having such disputes settled before the next big polls.

But it is even worse for young and promising party to allow the rancour in the PDP upset the very foundation on which their party was founded. While you fixate on the PDP, something worse is brewing in your infant party that is capable of derailing her course severely.

Someone is already threatening that it is "Buhari" or the APC disintegrates . . . .

ilugunboy:

Normally...internal wrangling is expected in a new party as people try to establish their territory and assert control....

ilugunboy:

But what would you call a party that has been in existence in the last 16 years and all of a sudden...highly influential members are calling it quit.

ilugunboy:

In a corporate organization....when there is such turnover of skilled manpower without adequate replacement....an auditor can actually qualify the report of such organization on going-concern basis.

Demdem:

its so funny u know and yet these lot have refused to cover their faces in shame.

funshint: All these are just teething problems which are normal in any political party at their infancy stage like APC. With Jagaban everything will be sorted out and stabilized as time goes on. I tell you!

olire: Well, as 4 me, I was tinkin of votin APC in Kwara but since the leech(Bukola) has ported to APC; Then I hv 2 vote PDP in 2015.

utumunta:


Many Kwarans share your opinion.

Kwarans have been trying to set themselves free from the Saraki bondage. They found an escape route in APC and Dele Belgore. Just when they were about climbing out of the tunnel in 2015 with Belgore and APC showing them the way, APC has increased their burden by saddling them with Saraki..again !

Saraki's decamping is goodluck to Kwara PDP