By Abdullahi Kayode Soliu

Over fourteen years after leaving office as Governor of Kwara State, and over six years of being out of office, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki continues to connect with individuals from Kwara State, whether he is at home or outside the State. Of course, the latest is his Iftar programme held during this Ramadan season in Ilorin and Abuja.

For Saraki, engagement with the people is a continuous affair. It is the stuff that makes a leader worth the name. It makes him feel the pulse of the people. It makes him also demonstrate his sense of empathy. It solidifies the bond with the people and it shows that he is not all about politics. This is not a political season but Islam recommends that Muslims should always be in touch with each other and share symbolic acts of togetherness. They should pray together, exchange views, and eat together. Although each of them can afford good meals in their respective homes. The holy prophet of Islam said whoever gathers his brothers and sisters together to share Iftar meals gains Allah’s reward on each of them he has invited while the invited individuals are also not denied their respective reward for their fasting and supplication.

That is why in line with his traditional role of Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin, Saraki usually would host different segments of the Kwara society to Iftar on different days. This year, groups like those of State party leaders, present and former PDP executives, former and present local government party executives, local government party elders across the three senatorial districts, former council chairmen and councilors, PDP chairmanship, and councillorship candidates in the last election, House of Assembly candidates in the last election, representatives of youth, women and elders structures, were hosted.

Also, the leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Motorcyclists Association, Taxi drivers Association, market women, and other artisan groups. Also, some young business owners in the state capital had their session. It was therefore a busy period for a man who was busy sharing goodwill with his kinsmen. All these took place in the first ten days of the Ramadan fast.

On his return to Abuja, the second phase of the engagement continued. Here, the North Central leaders of the PDP across the six states of Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger and FCT had their turn. Then there was a very large group of professionals, bureaucrats, top individuals, and youths from Kwara State based in the FCT who were also invited to Iftar. On the day this group visited, the Lake Chad area of Maitama knew that Kwara State had relocated to that elite area.

The next group that finally participated in this year’s Iftar was Saraki’s colleagues in the Eighth Senate. Despite the short notice as admitted by both the hosts and the guests, many of the senators, male and female, turned up such that all the six zones of the country were represented. About one-third of the full capacity of the Senate came and they were all happy to see each other in what appeared to be a reunion of sorts. It was at the event that one of them reminded the others that this year’s Ramadan made it ten years ago that the 8th Senate was inaugurated in the holy month in 2015 and this also made it the sixth year since that Senate was dissolved.

One thing that all these gatherings indicated is the continued relevance of a man who has set a good tradition for himself and in or out of office, he keeps the flag flying. The consistency of his outreach and engagement shows a man who has risen to become a statesman not just a politician. Also, the good attendance and seamless conduct of the Iftar programmes have continued to demonstrate that Kwara State has nobody that equates Saraki in terms of goodwill, creative engagements, great networking, and building bridges across age, religion, gender, tribe, profession, and political divide.

Regular critics who lack vision may not see the beauty in this act. There is nobody Saraki hosted to Iftar that doesn’t have food at home before and after attending the breaking of fast session. It is about bonding, leadership, and making your community your family.

No present or previous office holder connects as Dr. Saraki does home and away. More than hosting people in his home, the Iftar programme to feed thousands of ordinary people being sponsored by his foundation, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation (ABSF) is currently going on in four states and the FCT to feed the needy, those who are truly indigent and need direct intervention. The get-together was far beyond that, it was to exchange ideas and reminisce on the strong bond of Kwarans. It is beautiful to see that we have at least one or two persons in the private sector who shape the economy of this country. We do not know how blessed we are as a state.

Saraki’s love for Kwara remains unquestionable. Seeing how events in Rivers are panning out, one can now understand why Saraki stays back and remains calm during provoking moments from the government of the day in his state. Truly, a good son would not want trouble anywhere near his state. He has been a huge contributor to the stability of law and order in Kwara State. He simply avoids trouble and provocation regardless of the number of times.

Kwarans from all walks of life and industries, particularly young folks use this moment to connect. Many attendees met each other for the very first time, cutting across both private and public sectors. The discussion over there easily transitions from politics to creating opportunities for people at home at every given opportunity.

Saraki has easily transformed from a politician to an elder statesman, and playing his role diligently. Regardless of ideological differences and party affiliations, his door remains open to discussion on the prosperity of Kwara State. He also had a lot to share on industry-specific discussions and policy issues and how he feels young folks can drive the conversation for the benefit of all.