Alhaji Muhammed Kudu, Director-General, APC Campaign Organisation in Kwara North, has dismissed as a ruse, the agreement signed by Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki for power to shift to Kwara North.
Saraki with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on Jan. 21, signed a pact with traditional and political leaders from the northern part of the state, agreeing to a shift of power by 2023.
Kudu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that Saraki had reneged on similar agreements in the past.
According to him, there was a similar agreement in 2011, where it was agreed that Kwara South would serve for one term, but the incumbent Governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed is serving his two terms.
“If agreement that was previously entered was botched, what assurance is there now that the one being signed for another four years will stand?.
“As Muslims, we do not put too much attention in the future, we put attention in the present, because the future belongs to God and God belongs to all, so nobody has power to control what is in the future.’’
Kudu added:“What agreement did the Kwara south signed before power moved to them in 2011; before Saraki came to power, I contested with him in 2003 as governorship aspirant.
“Saraki in 2003 said he was going to do one term, did he do one term; we are all students of history, in 2011 he brought the incumbent in the name of one term, did he do one term.
“There was a document signed just the way they did this one in 2003, which nobody was allowed to hold a copy.
“In 2011, we signed another agreement, nobody had a copy, including the signatories, signing another one now is using one trick too many,” the APC chieftain said.
He noted that although Kwara north had always supported the Sarakis since 1979, the area has always been shortchanged by the family.
“We in the north have always been loyal, is this the reward for our loyalty, our loyalty should not be mistaken for stupidity.
“This is one agreement too many, the facts are there, this is 2019 and by the Grace of God Saraki dynasty has lost it, because he has refused to do what is expected, one good turn should deserves another.
“The north had been good and loyal to Saraki, but now, he is no longer our brother because he had shown the people his true colour by picking his candidate from Ilorin.
“Our traditional rulers are not politicians, so why should they be involved in signing agreement? We see it as nothing more than intimidation,’’ Kudu said.
He therefore advised the traditional rulers not to allow themselves be dragged into politics.
“We respect the Emirs, we adore them, we revere the institution and bringing them into disrepute and disrespect will not augur well.
“The agreement is a booby trap, when it fails, the people would be blamed for falling for such agreement,’’ Kudu said.