Perhaps no Senate President has been able to truly define separation of powers like Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the former governor of Kwara state, who became the Nigerian Senate President against the wishes of his party in 2015.
Academically, separation of powers (i.e. the powers of the three organs of government- executive, judiciary and legislative) gives all the organs their different duties- legislature, to make laws; judiciary, to interpret the laws and adjudicate; and the executive to approve the laws.
The real flesh of the separation of powers is that every organ is allowed to discharge its duties without the interference of any of the other organs. This ensures that the wheels of democratic governance remain fair and unbiased. However, this non-interference, especially between the lawmakers and the executives, had not been so in reality prior to the senate presidency of Dr Bukola Saraki. Bukola, to the joy of the Nigerian people (especially those in opposition), made sure that the National Assembly was not seen as a mere rubberstamp assembly.
The foregoing really defines the man Bukky (as he is fondly addressed by supporters and nonsupporters alike in Kwara state). He has a different kind of mindset, away from the norm. As a well-trained medical doctor (at the prestigious London Hospital Medical College of the University of London) he successfully transited to the business world through banking and then on to politics. Indeed, Politics had a very inevitable pull on him having being fathered by the great Olusola Saraki, a man who bestrode Kwara state politics like its owner. He was senate leader of the then National Party of Nigeria and "installed" Kwara state governors from 1979. He had a populist outlook and that has also robbed off on Bukky.
Bukky's tenure as governor of Kwara State (2003-2011) effectively marked a departure from the old and the beginning of the new Kwara. Admittedly, the foundation for the new Kwara was laid by his predecessor but Bukky effectively took the state away from mediocrity.
Bukola Saraki made good use of technocrats as both advisers and commissioners. These people brought very valuable private sector experience to governance and Kwara was the better for it.
The first noticeable change that came with Bukky was how the Ilorin International Airport was reopened, after many years of closure, and attracted many commercial airlines to the route starting with Overland Air. Today, it’s the 5th busiest route in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano, Abuja and PortHarcourt. Hitherto, the Ilorin airport was International only in handling Hajj flights (muslim pilgrimage) and nothing else: no local flights whatsoever. Hence Kwara opened up to investors that would want to get to the state capital fast enough.
Thanks to Bukky who came in with the much needed private sector mentality and soon reenergised the Ganmo substation connecting over 3750 rural communities- indeed 90% of the state- to the national power grid with up to 18 hours of electricity daily.
The Tsonga farms project was also a legacy project of Bukola Saraki. He invited displaced white farmers from Zimbabwe to establish the Tsonga Farms project (as a public-private joint venture). The farm sat on about 13,000 hectares of land, transforming Kwara into a commercial farming hub. The project was mostly a success with very high yields for all its crops in addition to the creation of jobs for Kwarans.
Another giant agricultural stride was the Malete Youth Integrated Training Farm Center initiated and founded by Governor Bukola Saraki to train the youths in modern farming methods and hence boost employment and economic empowerment. This was part of the broader agricultural revolution that included the Tsonga farm project.
Bukola picked up from where his predecessor stopped as regards roads rehabilitation and urbanisation ensuring that the rural communities are not physically unaccessed.
As a trained medical personnel Bukky's government paid so much attention to healthcare. He made some much needed healthcare improvements by introducing community health insurance schemes and revamping primary healthcare centers. He also significantly improved maternal and child health outcomes. Closely associated with engendering good health is the Ilorin city-wide cleaning schemes embarked upon by Bukola's administration. Ilorin subsequently got International recognition as cleanest city in Nigeria in 2007/2008.
Housing also commanded the attention of Bukky. He built 3 major estates- Mandate 1, 2, 3- and eased the pressure on good affordable homes.
Governor Bukola Saraki established the International Aviation College Ilorin. This is located at the Ilorin International Airport and offers NCAA (National Civil Aviation Authority) approved courses including Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), and Flight Dispatcher courses.
The Kwara State University was established in Malete under the governorship of Dr Bukola Saraki. This is no mean feat and it's about the loudest legacy project of Bukky. It continues to wax stronger and stronger.
On the national front, Bukky chaired the Nigeria Governors' Forum where he built a more cohesive relationship among governors.
Dr Bukola Saraki is still a force to reckon with in the Nigerian political space and still has millions of supporters across his local Kwara, who are waiting to vote for his anointed candidates in the next national elections.
His party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just had a successful convention after some very cantankerous intra party chaos. It should not be lost on any political observer that Dr Saraki remained the coolest head in the whole impasse. He was incidentally the head of reconciliation committee that tried to ensure peace and progress.
Hence while the party has enjoyed from his politics of maturity Kwara state has missed his astute leadership. Kwara needs him at a time that insecurity sweeps through the state, unlike under him.
Since Bukky, there has not been any viable new investment attracted to the state and Kwara has not been able to move on from the gains experienced under Bukky's watch.
I am very persuaded that since Dr Bukola Saraki does not want to contest in the 2027 presidential election his major focus will be to sponsor a formidable candidate for the governorship seat. Of course, this will be cheering news for Kwarans. More than ever before, the people need their illustrious son, Bukky, through his anointed candidate, to bring visionary leadership back to the state. They need Bukola to help chart a new and 6promising course for Kwara, something that's been lacking in the governance of the state for a long while now. Things have gone bad enough for the people, this is the time to allow the man with the Midas touch decide the candidate that can revive Kwara and get it flourishing again. Kwara needs to do away with charlatans at every level.
Sai Bukky...
Jogofully yours
Rotimi Oladipo
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