![NG-[A_BA[COMP_TABL_ALLC]:TABLETS_160x600](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t9b0tDp3aYPw3ppp9oBglYKEFSdH_fqpHuXULDV5_ClHdeCWcNaDMhpX3t0ofZ4rb_tUBWCOwkHhlh2AmaIqkmkxStumAy6A3hTipb3dSSfFQM0yqz0b7RQmDg60RJrmIJrBw3OESP6_8HixZlX4gyRfpBpZxYI7BYV-ji4-WAzYxadupdww=s0-d)
SENATOR BUKOLA SARAKI BATTLES SISTER, GBEMI For Kwara Central Senate Ticket
+20 Aspirants Eyeing The Senate
*****
It promises to be a political battle that would surely eclipse some. Bukola Saraki, former Governor of Kwara State is set to battle his sister, Gbemi. The decision of Bukola to join APC has seen many who were hitherto in ACN, and other opposition party move to PDP in other to be free from what they have seen as the Saraki dominance of the state. Even as it is, the former Governor though with the support of the incumbent Governor who decamped to the APC with him is having a hectic time keeping his camp intact. He has allegedly promised three different men including incumbent Kwara Speaker, Atunwa, former Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, apart from the Governor that he would give them the gubernatorial ticket and each of them is eminently qualified and betrayal may spell doom for him as he once denied two of them the same ticket. Meanwhile the PDP is waiting in the wings for Governor Ahmed in case Bukola Saraki denies him reelection ticket so that he can pick same from them. There is no doubt that he has a big task keeping his team together especially when they are not sure a ministerial slot or anything from the top could be given to them even if they don’t go for the governorship seat. The battle from these fronts seem not enough for the Senator as he has also indicated interest in contesting the Presidency although the post has been zoned to the North west by his new party. Everyone who knows Bukola believes that he is flying a kite with his candidature as he is likely to come back and pick his senatorial ticket the same way he did in 2011. This time around however he has a contender that is strong enough to match him. His blood sister, and former Senator Gbemi Saraki is also said to be eyeing the senate. Indeed, Gbemi was believed to have declared that anything Bukola goes for in Kwara, he would go for same. She is set to do battle with him and even though there are other contenders within the APC for the Kwara Central ticket, the two would most surely slug it out. Many of the Kwara PDP contenders are also sympathetic to her cause and are willing to allow her pick the ticket to face her estranged brother.The same way many other political gladiators in the state battling to take their own seat in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. Managing Editor, BAMIDELE OGUNDANA brings you the other guys in the contest for the three Kwara senatorial seats.
*****
BAR KUNLE SULEIMAN
Bar Kunle Suleiman, according to sources was to have been the Chairman of PDP in Kwara before the post was eventually given to Chief Oyedepo. He is an astute politician and he is well known in the grassroots political structure in Kwara. His major constraints might be money though it is widely believed that some people are pushing him forward to go to the senate rather than he being the one that has set his eyes on the Red Chamber.
OOYE ADEMOLA ALADODO
Ooye Ademola Aladodo is well known in Kwara state PDP especially Kwara South. He was there for the party when there was no one to carry the financial load and they owe him for that. Apart from this, he is believed to be one of the largest employers of labour in the state with over 2,000 staff working for him. His activities in Kwara South has led to groups clamouring that he goes to the Senate which he has accepted. He is the man to beat.
Dr IBRAHIM OLORIEGBE
He is based in Abuja. He was the candidate of the ACN in the last senatorial election and he gave Bukola Saraki a good fight. He lost by 1,040 votes and the loss was indeed suspect as everyone knew he was already coasting home before the Asa Local Government votes came in and gave Saraki the ticket.
L.A.K. JIMOH
L.A. K. Jimoh won the PDP senatorial ticket in 2011 and was the party’s choice but was forced to relinquish the ticket by Saraki who then had gone for the presidential ticket of the PDP. He fought gallantly to retrieve his ticket but was unable to. He is coming back for the ticket of Kwara Central.
SALMAN ALADA
He is also believed to be keenly interested in getting to the Senate and he has a strong political following in the state. His undoing could be the financial resources however as he may not be able to match the other contestants.
BILIKISU GAMBARI
She is the favourite of their father. She has been in politics for some time now and she has her luck with the governorship seat and failed but after her recent marriage to the Edewors, she has decided that she would try the Senate. She is also from Kwara Central
CAPT. POPOOLA
The retired military officer is also believed to be interested in going to the Senate. Strong political structures are however his weakness.
KAMILU DAUDA OKEKERE
He is a topshot in the oil industry where he holds sway as one of the big masquarades behind ADDAX PETROLUEM. His immense wealth of about 17 years in the oil sector would definitely come in handy if and when he comes out. He is the brain behind the Dauda Okekere Foundation.
SEN. YUNUSA
He is from the Northern Senatorial zone of the state and he is believed to have his own strong followership. Whether his people would desire for a change is however a strong issue and if they want someone new, he may not get there.
FUNKE ADEDOYIN
The former Minister of State (Women Affairs) is set to contest against his sister. While he is coming for the ticket on the platform of the APC, where her political allies are, her sister is angling for that of the PDP.
GBENGA MAKANJUOLA
A former member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP, he joined Bukola Saraki, to whom he is now a P.A. to move to the APC. It is believed that his eight years in the House did not produce much for the people and they may be easily persuaded to look another way. He is from Kwara South.
HON. BASHIR ONI
He is a former member of the House of Representaives also. He was also Chairman of the Kwara State Electoral Commission during the Saraki governorship era. He hardly has a chance as the anti Saraki wave in Kwara South is strong.
COL. LAWAL
A retired military topshot, he is also believed to be interested in coming out to vie for one of the the PDP tickets to the senate, his undoing however could be the fact that it is only when he needs the ticket that he comes to associate with the party.
ENGR KANMI ADETUNJI
He is a former Nigerian Power Holding Company top shot. He is eyeing the PDP ticket for Kwara South but his undoing might be his inability to pinpoint his contributions to the party.
ADEMOLA BAANU
Ademola Baanu is the incumbent Commissioner for Finance in the state. He is also interested in picking a senatorial ticket. He is eyeing it from the APC and he is from Kwara South also.
DAVID BAMGBOYE
He is a retired military administrator and he has been out a couple of times to vie for political offices in the state. He is coming out this time to vie for the PDP ticket for Kwara South. His extended family members have dominated the House of Represntatives ticket for twelve years. Hon. Bashiru Oni and Hon. Makanjuola are his close relations.
0 comments:
Post a Comment