The Icon of Nigerian Politics

FOR DR. ABUBAKAR OLUSOLA SARAKI Ilorin is bereaved again: another calamity has struck! Ilorin has lost another pride of the community. Saraki this time! Why has Mr. Death focused on us? He has already extorted enough from us already but his discontentment has prodded him into snatching Saraki again. Ah! Extortionate! Our unique exponent of politics has deserted us, leaving us bereft of confidence. After the consecutive demise of Oniwasi Agbaye and Sulton Kamal, I thought my pen would go to bed and rest until the dawn of 2013, but it was not to be. Abubakar Saraki’s departure is enough to cause me to bestir myself again, especially when I visualize how he lived and bested his opponents, leading a life that was devoid of failure and defeat. God has a way of perfecting some like that. After the death of Baba-l’Agege, I believed Arabic literature and outright bravery had followed their commander, and that was the end of it. But a good many brave writers surfaced afterwards, though their skills not matching his. After the passage of Alhaji Agba, I thought we would never get over the expensive losses: his matchless knowledge, adorable tolerance, effective prayers… But many an embryonic scholar emerged, though not the exact like of Baba. God’s omnipotence is not subject to limitations. I send condolence to Dr. Bukola Saraki, Sen. Gbemi Saraki, and my brother, Laolu Saraki, including their followers and fans. The peoples of Nigeria I sympathize with you. And Ilorin community should not be dejected. Saraki was a man of conspicuous looks, a man of benign character, his benevolence extending beyond his arms-length. To him kindness means kindness, even to one’s enemies. He was a man that commanded respect home and abroad. Yet all this appealed not to desperate Mr. Death. O’ God, Saraki’s presence was encouraging, characterized by successful children, love and care. Strengthen us so that his absence shall not create a foreboding of more tragedies, but be an exit that betokens more fortune for the bereaved.