A dark cloud is
hovering over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State over the
ministerial nomination to replace the dropped ex-sports minister, Mallam Bolaji
Abdulahi. Firstly Weekly Magazine gathered that the name of a leading
contender for the position, Senator Gbemi Saraki is conspicuously missing from
a 10-man list yet to be submitted to the Presidency.
The business mogul
is seen as a major obstacle to the emergence of Senator Gbemisola Saraki. A
deep seated crisis is now playing out in the PDP, where high ranking party
members have threatened a protest vote for the APC if Senator Gbemisola Saraki
is favourably considered.
Edwin Clark |
An impeccable
source quoted a party chieftain as saying, “we have told the leadership of the
PDP to forget Kwara votes if Gbemisola’s choice is made. To show the
seriousness of the objection to Senator Gbemisola Saraki’s choice, a petition was
being put together to be submitted to the presidency on reasons Senator
Gbemisola should not emerge as a minister.
Bola Shagaya |
Hajia Bola
Shagaya, who is a close ally of President Jonathan’s wife, Patience, is
believed to have wielded a lot of influence on the presidency capable of making
Gbemisola’s emergence an unrealizable dream.
It is however,
interesting to note that earlier in the tenure of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as
president of Nigeria; Senator Gbemisola Saraki was reportedly instrumental to
Hajia Bola Shagaya not becoming a minister, when she was being considered.
Ironically,
Senator Gbemisola Saraki is now looking up to Hajia Bola Shagaya to facilitate
her becoming a minister.
Adamu Muazu |
Other reasons
adduced for her ineligibility is that there is a seeming report in the
presidency that Ilorin Emirate is not favourably disposed to Gbemi’s emergence
and also that her choice will further polarize the crisis-ridden PDP.
“If Gbemi emerges
as a minister, she will automatically assume the leadership position of the
party in Kwara State as against the interest of Hajia Shagaya,” a reliable
source opined.
Another reason
there is a mounted opposition to Gbemi’s choice is the opinion of party
chieftains that her choice will put a lie to President Jonathan’s declaration
to liberate Kwara if it is freed from the shackles of one Saraki and then handed
over to another Saraki.
There is however, a
twist to the tussle. First Weekly Magazine learnt that Gbemisola
is enjoying the backing of the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.
Rumours suggest an amorous relationship between the duo.
Another reason the
PDP Chairman is well disposed to Gbemi’s choice is based on his belief that if
PDP is to win elections in Kwara State, Saraki, as a household name, is a force
to reckon with.
A staunch
supporter of Senator Gbemi is President Jonathan’s adopted father and close
ally of the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, Chief Edwin Clark. For Clark, our source
argued that his stand was based on his ‘love’ for Gbemi and hatred for her
sibling, Dr. Bukola Saraki. The hatred is borne out of the sour relationship
between Saraki and President Goodluck Jonathan, Clark’s godson.
For the PDP, these
are indeed interesting times. The ability of the party to navigate the
shark-infested sea the issue of this ministerial nomination has become will
ultimately determine its fortunes and chances in the 2015 elections.
Meanwhile, Hajia
Bola Shagaya has reportedly said she’s ready to splash cash worth N2 Billion in
a bid to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) government in the
state.
Insiders in the
affairs of the PDP in the state alleged that the business mogul, who is
reported to be one of the richest women in Africa, had vowed to deliver Kwara
for PDP come 2015.
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