Without much ado, I give credit to all the analysts, through this site, Nigeriaworld, and the Publisher for publishing us, on the events in Nigeria, for the wonderful job they are doing to the Nigerian Communities. Our perspective of the events in Nigeria is diverse. It allows the public to have a balanced picture of the happenings in Nigeria. No one expects the writers to assess Nigeria situation from one same point of view. To those critics, you have the right to your own opinion as well; in as much as you do not resolve into name calling, accommodating our deficiencies will be highly appreciated.

Having said that, in the past, I have made 'imaginary' trips to Nigeria based on my experience in the affairs of Nigeria, through the eyes of sources of my authentic information gathering techniques. I had to visit home briefly during Thanksgiving Holidays, (November 2002), since 1993 when 'Doctor Dribbler' was at the peak of his game, and a visit to my home town that I had not visited for the past 24 years. Throughout this period of my absence from Nigeria, I had picked up some good and regrettably, mostly bad intuition about Nigeria politicians. Unfortunately, the good sides that I picked up about my dear State, KWARA, the State of Harmony, the Darling of Central Nigeria, was shattered as soon as I stepped into the State through Eruku at about 7:00 pm, Saturday, November 30, 2002. In my previous visits, I traveled by air to my destinations, conducting a research on "The Impact of Religion on the Political Process in Nigeria: The case of the Federal Sharia Court of Appeal (1975 - 1990)," and at the same time monitoring the 1993 elections, dissecting Tofa and Abiola's campaign from Lagos to Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Jos, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri, Benin City, Oshogbo, and Ilorin. This time around with my determination to go by road, it exposed me to the 'wonderful' job the politicians are doing in the country, especially in Kwara State.

Fortunately, it was Eruku Day, Saturday, November 30, 2002, with all glamour of Community self-effort to improve the well being of their town. Eruku town, Ekiti Local Government, has produced one of the finest Judges in the State, Justice Ekundayo, and a Journalist cum Politician, Chief Fatoyinbo. Eruku Day is one of the community programs, especially in Ekiti Kwara where, in those days, self-effort was the order of the day, which I thought had died away. Ironically, you would discover that most of the projects, such as Schools, Clinics, Palaces, water supply, and even road development, found in some communities, are through self-efforts of the communities. I believe this is the practice in most of the Southern States as far as I know. At least I am aware of the successful implementation of water project, by Obazu National Council, USA, Inc., in Obazu Community, under the leadership of Anthony Anusiem, a quiet but an effective, God-fearing leader. As a matter of fact, Obbo Day, that was slated for that day (Eruku Day), was postponed till December 14, 2002, so as not to conflict with her sister town, Eruku. Before the Obbo Day, one of Obbo citizens used his resources to grade the Osi-Obbo-Aiyegunle road to give the guests a 'powdered' but smoother ride to Obbo-Aiyegunle for the Obbo Day celebration. We might be asking ourselves, what does the government provide the community. The road that supposed to be maintained for easier mobility of its citizens are abandoned, and they are feeding fat on the public resources. Where does the allocations go to? Your guess is as good as mine.

The situation in Kwara State is pathetic, to say the least. Some people walk blindly and could not see the extent of the suffering masses that are in the majority in Kwara State. Let us take the road that much had been said about, for instance. Much has been said about the wonderful road network in the State. Allocation or no allocation, 99% of the allocation to the State for salaries or not, there are other avenues of generating revenue for the State, if we could just apply our God given resources, and make a laudable mark on the history of our community, the State would be better off. The government officials are there to discover ways by which the State can survive, and not merely waiting for 'manner' to continue falling from the Federal Government. Driving through Eruku, Osi, Omu-Aran, Oro, Ajassepo, Offa, Idofian, Gama to Ilorin, talk less of Osi to Obbo-Aiyegunle, like I said in the past, is a hectic trip through the night. One frightening thing about the road trip are potholes where armed robbers use as operating spots to attack any motorists that stop at those locations. Definitely you have to stop at these spots; some are about a foot deep, if you want to get to your destinations with that same vehicle that you are traveling with. Ironically, the government officials pass through these roads, in their special vehicles, with no concern about the ordinary citizens of their State, and the possibility of repairing these roads. Do they care? We would soon see what is Shaking in Kwara State very soon.

My home visit of over 4,000 population, with each compound producing at least three Ph.Ds, driving through the road from Osi to Obbo-Aiyegunle of only 11 kilometers, about 8.25 miles, is like a millipede race. You have to struggle with the tall grasses by the roadsides and in the middle of the road. The culverts have leveled up with the road with pool of water in some areas. You have to drive through the ponds of water otherwise you would find yourself in the trough. It took us almost 90 minutes on the11 kilometers trip. Obbo-Aiyegunle has produced Deputy Governor, Parliamentarians, Directors, Permanent Secretaries, Professors, Local Government Chairman, quite a number of Magistrates, Judges, within the Kwara State government, talk less of successful private citizens, with no good road net work linking the town with her sister cities and towns, and with the neighboring State, Ekiti, is disappointing. Thanks to Governor Adebayo, Ekiti State Governor, who had 'promised' to work on the roads linking Obbo-Aiyegunle with Eda Oniyo and Isan-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

	Regardless where Kwara lands, or whatever is shaking Kwara, or whomsoever is shaking, our last hope might be the Kwara Legislators.... I was privileged to meet with some of the Kwara Legislators and observed the proceedings of Tuesday December 3, 2002. I would like to state that, I have the first and lasting good impression of their proceedings....

The much-boasted Isapa-Obbo-Ile road is nothing more than another factory of red powdered talc for the motorists. "Up Lawal, Omo Aladerin, Omo Arilewa, No Shaking Second Term, Alabi Opo" so goes the song of praise of the 'wonderful job' the Governor is doing in Kwara State. I believe other Nigerians would have similar stories to tell on the plight of their people in the hands of the current set of politicians whose interest is mostly self-centered. That is life they have subjected our people to.

The much talked about the township roads is nothing to write home about either. Plying through Government Residential Area, (GRA), to Niger Basin, through National Television Authority road, to Jebba road through Opo-Malu, Edun Street, cut it through Oke Suna Road, Taiwo Road, Asa Dam Road to Unity Road to Gaa Akanbi, via Winner City Roads is nothing better than the one just described. The multitude of people walking on these streets, with the streets turned into shopping centers, shows that the Government is inadequately equipped to accommodate the multitude of people trooping in to Ilorin City. The different is that it does not come with the powdered talc for the people at least. However, the air pollution is scary. Potholes are already on these roads. The Post Office roundabout area is not a befitting site for Kwara State. One of the sites that late General George Innih made for the State. The Post Office, the Federal property, has been taken over by the hawkers. The people have been pushed to the point of taking over any available space to display their market products in the name of making a living.

Some traffic wardens and Road Marshals are making things worse and difficult for the motorists by taking laws into their hands. A Road Marshall, on Sunday December 8, 2002 at the junction of NTA and Jebba Roundabout at about 3:00 p.m., kicked and broke the side mirror of a moving taxi because he wanted to stop the vehicle. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to dialogue with the Road Marshall for his act.

I went to visit a friend at Oko-Oba on that same Sunday evening, I decided to drive through the rough path, called road, filled with pool of water, piles of debris, and potholes. By the side of my friend's beautiful house in a residential area, is a Church, and a pile of refuse higher than the Church itself. This is the heart of Ilorin where cholera could break out and kill hundreds in seconds, and we have a responsible Ministry of Health that supposed to look at the well being of the people of the State. I experienced the same situation with other feeder roads, Oko Oba, Obbo Road, Emir's, Pakata, Adeta areas, in Ilorin Township.

The Health situation is neglected. My visit confirmed my observation about the new Cottage Hospital built by Lawal's administration as venues for 'Animal Farm's' meetings, as mentioned in one of my write ups about Kwara State, published by this site. The money spent on these 'White Elephant' projects could had been used to equip the existing Hospitals and Clinics in the State. The air pollution is on the increase. Water supply is not adequate. If and when you cannot find enough water to drink, how much would you care to flush your toilet, nature would not lend you any excuse not to let out the waste products in your system. People have to do what they have to do to expel the waste in their system. Regardless how beautiful your home is, without adequate water supply, it will make the place a haven for bacterial that could create health hazard for the residents. Your toilet would breed bacterial that would make your health a nightmare for you and members of your family. It is a way of inviting members of the 'information ministry', that is the flies, to start 'playing piano' on top of your food, because you have to open your doors, windows for fresh air to come into your house, no power supply to turn on your fan or air-conditioner. Power supply is worse than what I experienced when I visited Ilorin in 1993. Easing yourself publicly is another way of polluting the environment. The Politicians travel outside Nigeria and nothing entices them from what they saw in those places visited as to what they could do to improve the life of their citizens.

Another contributor to the air pollution business is the old vehicle in use for public transportation. The regulations of these vehicles that ply these roads need government attention.

What about the basic need of the people, especially water, which I just, mentioned above! Water is the natural endowment from nature, and is a scarce commodity in Kwara State. This is unfair to the people of the State. Studies in the past, during Brigadier General David Bamigboye's (rtd) administration, indicated that bore holes would not work in most parts of Kwara State because of its Geographical location. Instead, dams would do the work for the regular and adequate water supply in the State. Ilorin is growing at an alarming rate due to the peaceful atmosphere in the State. Unfortunately, the power brokers are turning the State into a personal property, and a battlefield. Do we need that in the 'State of Harmony', where peace should reign supreme?

Take another look at what we call the government quarters or offices; the situation is not good as well. If the government does not realize the need for a clean environment, at least to serve as an example to the community, how would you expect it to clean the other areas? I hope my readers won't be asking what this writer is talking about. He has been away from home for too long. He should never compare where he lives with Nigeria. The two places are not analogous. America has been in existence for over 200 years. What I am talking about, my people, is a simple common sense. The essentials of life, water, energy supply, clean environment, are as simple as ABC to give to the people, and this is not done. I remember the Health Inspectors in those days before Independence. In my town, no one dare throw trash within 100 yards from the home. My Grand mother would sweep our yard every morning to keep it clean. She made me to hoe the area to keep the grasses away from growing, and made gardens to teach me the act of farming. In those days we cared less about growing grasses in small towns because of the fear of snakes and other dangerous reptiles, hidden in the grasses. The current Government has bastardized the basic necessity of life for the multitude of our people. It is very unfortunate, and disappointing.

Sometimes you ask yourself, what type of leaders do we have in Nigeria. When you speak out and remind them of their responsibilities, you become their number one enemy and a target for elimination. Most Kwarans that I spoke with alluded to the fact that, you cannot say anything bad about the government of Kwara State; otherwise you will be targeted for elimination. If you are a civil servant, especially from certain Local Governments, and for the fact that people from certain areas did not vote or support the Governor, you or you will be a target and your community would not receive any assistance from the government. Unfortunately, the State Governor, Rear Admiral Lawal, was on lesser Hajji during the time of my visit, and I could not share my observation with him, especially with the feud between him and Dr. Olusola Saraki, which is the top most on my mind. Even he were to be around, I doubt if I would be able to wait for up to five days, as experienced by the Commissioners, so as to see the Governor.

Incidentally, as I was writing this piece, I understand that AD in Kwara State has already requested for the impeachment of Governor Lawal. One of the areas of AD's concerns is security. We do not want to go through the impeachment exercise, let the people decide at the poll. If Governor Lawal did anything wrong take him to court. Here is what AD has to say at the overcrowded Press Conference announced by its Chairman, Chief Tejumola Adeyemi, December 20, 2002:

"that security of lives and property in Kwara State can no longer be safeguarded by the state government is no longer news but our concern is the posture of the state, Governor, Alh. Mohammed Lawal in redressing the situation. Instead of placating the injured and smoothing the snapped nerves of the citizens he not only choses to point accusing fingers at some perceived enemies, but expresses outright lack of confidence in the Nigerian police leadership in the state…. Governor Lawal's dislike for the police leadership arose from the fact that he could not control the present police leadership the way he was manipulating the immediate past leadership of the police who cooperated with him and condoned all acts of political thuggery perpetrated by Lawal's men even when such acts were officially reported to the past leadership of the police in the state."

The party further deposed that

"since the new Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed has frontally started his clamp down on violence and political thuggery these past two months, the state has been enjoying relative peace and an observable lowering of tension in the land. We are saying that the Commissioner of Police should continue to serve in the state until the state is returned to its former appellation of "state of harmony." Lawal's personal interest cannot be greater than the collective interest of the people of Kwara State."

This confirms what people are talking about Lawal's administration. We are not going to mention about Lawal's financial management, and his son-in-law, the Commissioner for Special Duties, performing the Deputy Governor's duties. We would safe that for the raining day.

The situation is placing Kwara State at a stage for the battle of the two elephants. With the saying that where two elephants fight, the grass where they fought suffers. Even when they romance, the grass where that was done would suffer as well, it may not be as deadly as when they fight. All that we want is for the two elephants to go their ways, without crossing each other's path, and leave the spot alone. The grass is almost gone in Kwara State today, (December 2002), there is draught in the State with little or no water to grow another grass. When the battle is in full force, all that I experienced and described above would be a child play.

The bombing of Dr. Saraki's son place of business was the current event in the State at the time of my visit (December 2002). The accusation and counter accusation look very childish, and obtuse to me, like the fight between two elementary school students. Saraki bombed his son's place of business to make a point, or a political statement, is murky to me. Or the Lawal's administration making statements that he had forewarned the Police of plans to bomb some places in Ilorin, and Dr. Saraki is importing arms to the State, and recently, (December 2002), that if anything happens to him, Dr. Saraki should be held accountable. Dr. Saraki is not altering any statement either to refute or avow all the allegations being made by Lawal's administration. What Lawal has to do is to present the facts and allow the Police to determine who bombed Dr. Saraki's publishing company. That is the level politics have degenerated to in Kwara State.

We all know that Kwara and Kogi are Dr. Saraki's political safety valve. Saraki handpicked Lawal to Govern, not rule, the State, as done with Adamu Atta, Cornelius Adebayo, and Shaaba Lafiagi. Unfortunately, Lawal overturned the good gesture, like Adamu Attah did, which he paid darely for and lost his bid for second term to Chief Adebayo of another Party from Saraki. The next step Lawal took was to launch a negative campaign against Saraki, which to me was not fair to Dr. Saraki. You can disagree with his political game in Kwara State, just like this writer is, but it is like biting the finger that feeds you. Atta's disagreement was more diplomatic than that of Lawal. There should be some respect for your mentor to some extent, even though I do not, I repeat, I resent Dr. Saraki's style of politics of dominance in Kwara State. It is all right to 'plant' someone at the Government House, but allow him to Govern. The issue of Godfatherrism, as played all over the world, is being wrongly done in Kwara State. In a civilized world it is decently played, better than what we are witnessing in Kwara State and Enugu State between Senator Jim Nwobodo and Governor Chimaroke Nanamani.

History has it that when there was a political vacuum in Kwara State Dr. Saraki came into rescue. He began as a philanthropist that made water available for the people of Kwara State, spending his own money on tankers delivering water to the community. Oniyangi's efforts to thwart Dr. Saraki's political power in Kwara State, when everyone thought that Saraki was finished, failed woefully and were met with disappointment. Dr. Saraki came out stronger, and still standing. Saraki understands the people of the State and plays his political card very well and accurately. I will be surprised if Lawal would dislodge Saraki's political power in Kwara State. He shakes Saraki a little bit any way. I am of the opinion that killing a snake needs some care and tactics. You have to know where it hides his head, have enough energy and the right tools to cut off its head only once, not twice. Failure to do that is to bring more havoc to your head. Because the snake would chase you till he gets you.

All Kwarans, especially those in Diaspora, are carefully watching the current event in Kwara State. Saraki is of the understanding that, this is his last political suicide. If Lawal wins re-election in 2003, Saraki's dynasty is dead for life. He would bury his head in shame to his grave. Do you think there will be peace in the State if that happens? On the other hand, if Lawal looses, he should be prepared to take his political, private and any other life that he has left, to jail. Because Saraki would definitely nail his career with 17-inch nails on an Iroko wood that no one would be able to open forever. Do you think a retired Rear Admiral in the Nigerian Navy would succumb to humiliation? The heat is on. It is getting hotter by second.

The battle of the Titans is not what Kwara needs now (December 2002), and the future of Kwarans is at stake. Would there be a Kwara State after April 2003? How much blood would atone the existence of Kwara State after 2003? Would the feud continue from generation to generation? Would Kwara or Ilorin know peace, especially between the two families? Is this the reopening of the battle between Afonja and Alimi as to who owns Ilorin? These and other questions are of concern to an average Kwaran and should not be taking lightly, while praying to our Creator, to unfetter us from the 'wolfs' we call leaders in Kwara State, whose personal interests supercede that of other Kwarans. I doubt if any of us wants Kwara State to go down the drain.

Major General Adisa has been making some frantic efforts to end the feud between Saraki and Lawal. I have to give it to General Adisa for his efforts. I think at this point in time, from my estimation, the timing is not right. The damage has been done beyond human repair. Only God in His infinitive mercy could bail out Kwara State from this mess. Each of the concerns is ready to prove some points in their careers. Kwarans, as well as other Nigerians, are very keen as to the direction Kwara would fall into in 2003 after the election.

	Upon the whole, we need Kwara to be left alone by the powers that be. My strongest appeal to Dr. Saraki, if luck comes his side again this time around, provided AD and PDP are in good accord, and work together, is for him (Saraki) to play a role of the wise man to guide the State politicians and stop controlling them....

The equation has been changed now. Dr. Bukola Saraki has been nominated to be the flag bearer for the PDP Gubernatorial candidate for Kwara State. This confirmed the allegation by Lawal that Saraki wanted to install his son as the next Kwara Governor. One of the questions that I posed to one of the aspirants through our discussion, Chief Samuel Ogundeji, was the issue of Saraki's plan to install his son. His response has been that he has Saraki's support. I advised him that we could talk after PDP primaries. Saraki wants someone that would get Lawal out of Kwara Governor's house, nail him, and send him to jail. Saraki trusts none of the candidates enough to do that. However, Bukola is his blood, he would not do anything contrary to his father's wish.

Even if Bukola wins that election, come 2003, how well will he be able to govern Kwara State? Depending on the composition of the Kwara State House of Assembly, he might have a rough road ahead. Saraki should hand off Kwara politics then, and if he does not, we will wait and see what happens with Kwarans in Diaspora trooping in for the 2007. If Kwara goes than the drain, prosperity would not forgive the perpetrators. People have to put their differences apart in the name of poor Kwarans who could hardly have a daily meal.

Regardless where Kwara lands, or whatever is shaking Kwara, or whomsoever is shaking, our last hope might be the Kwara Legislators, under the leadership of Hon. Yisa Ezekiel Benjamin, the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly. I was privileged to meet with some of the Kwara Legislators and observed the proceedings of Tuesday December 3, 2002. I would like to state that, I have the first and lasting good impression of their proceedings and I can say that I am very proud of the quality of their deliberations, very professional, logical and well polished discussion. There has been no training for them. I give it up to them. I am also impressed by the quality of their work so far, when I went through the Kwara State Assembly publication of their previous proceedings. If they have very good leadership for the next couple of years, which I found with their current Speaker, Hon. Benjamin, with some knowledgeable individuals to pattern them along the legislative process, the Kwara State Assembly would be a model for other States to emulate. The first impression, people say, always last for ever, I hope they continue their good job, under their current leadership, they would make a landmark in the history of Kwara State, and move it out from this current dogwood it is now (2002). I wish them successes in their forthcoming elections.

Most of Kwarans that I spoke with during this trip from the common man on the street, by the Post Office Roundabout, Offa garage, Sabo Oke, Marafa, Mogaji Are, Alalubosa, Kulende, Sango, Pata market, Idi Ape, Amilengbe, Oja Gbooro and Oja Oba among others-all in the Ilorin metropolis; Isale-Ago area and Owode market in Offa, Ilemona, Omu Aran; at Churches, Mosques, Civil Servants, Farmers, to some prominent individuals, prominent lawyers, both private and public individuals, in Ilorin and outside Ilorin, did not have anything good to say about Governor Lawal. To be honest with my readers, I was shocked at the remarks made by the people, even the area that I was so happy about; the recognition of the prominent Traditional Rulers in the State, is not a big deal to Kwarans. That aspect even creates more problems than elucidation. We need to give credit where it is due. I still appreciate what Governor Lawal did in that area. If my vote counts in the State, I would give it to him. Regardless of making his Father a Balogun, he did what 'Napoleon' could not do. Regrettably, the 'Talakawa' in Ilorin are not happy, because they are under very unforgiving situation. The people are at the prey of the Pastors. The Churches are full of the suffering masses, thinking that the only place they could turn to and get salvation, is the Church, so that they won't loose it all, here on earth and in Heaven. Lawal needs miracle to win a re-election comes 2003.

I was going to conclude that, peoples' comments notwithstanding, Lawal's re-election in 2003, if it is not rigged, is going to favor him. Because I do not see any credible candidate among the ones that are contesting for the PDP ticket, Alhaji Yekeen Alabi, Alhaji Yerima Abdullahi, Alhaji A.K. Jimoh, Alhaji Shaaba Lafiaji, Chief Samuel Ogundeji, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo and Alhaji Ayinla Folorunsho, Deacon John Dara, who withdrew his candidacy for Hon. Yekinin Alabi that could have knocked off Lawal from the governorship race. AD has an individual, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that might win the AD ticket; regardless how strong he is, he may not win the Kwara election, given the fact that Kwara State may not be ready for an AD governor. AD, as it is now in Kwara State, might be the power broker, the 'Darling' of Saraki and Lawal. Who is going to have AD's support to go to the Government House in 2003? The equation has thus changed since Dr. Bukola Saraki successfully gotten PDP nomination as its flag bearer for Kwara State.

Given the fact as it is now with the battle among the three, Governor Lawal, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, a group of Kwarans who are not too happy about Saraki's style of politics, including this writer, would want to give the 2003 to Lawal, as mentioned, inspite of all the ugly things being said about him, and the fact that Kwara may not be ready for an AD Governor. The gut Dr. Saraki has, to place his son for the governorship race. Dr. Olusola Saraki might not finish yet in Kwara politics, like Oniyangi learned in a hard way, years back. Dr. Saraki moves like a snake, quietly and carefully, knowing fully well his prey and what he wants, where and how to get it. Chief Samuel Ogundeji would understand now where I was coming from when I told him to wait till after the primaries before making any move from my side. My concern was the Saraki's factor in the equation. The deal between Dr. Bukola Saraki and Chief Samuel Ogundeji revealed that Saraki still have his strong hold in Igbomina/Ekiti. I doubt if the area has forgotten about the elimination of their prominent civil servants from the State Ministries. Unless 'miracle' happens between now and the Election Day, the 2003 election may not be in favor of Lawal. Even though as much as we hate Saraki's gut to push his son to the scene, according to Chief Ogundeji, his withdrawal was bone out to honor Saraki, whom he described as a man who has contributed immensely to the development of the state and has continued to remain a dominant factor in Kwara politics. He said that Saraki nurtured Kwara state and labored for its relevance, adding "it is not too much to honour him with the ticket for his consistent labour of 38 years." Such statement is coming from an average Igbomina/Ekiti corridor.

Upon the whole, we need Kwara to be left alone by the powers that be. My strongest appeal to Dr. Saraki, if luck comes his side again this time around, provided AD and PDP are in good accord, and work together, is for him (Saraki) to play a role of the wise man to guide the State politicians and stop controlling them, or selecting candidates for public services, from Local to Federal level, and allow Kwarans to choose their own leaders. Come 2007, the story will not be palatable for his liken. Kwara has enough of the 'Napoleon' style of rule.

One of the popular saying of Lawal as mentioned above is "What's Shaking. No Shaking. Omo Aladerin, Omo Arilewa, No Shaking Second Term, Alabi Opo" To my readers, what it means literarily is: What's shaking. No Shaking. The son of Aladerin, son of Arilewa, no shaking second term, Alabi Opo (that is his traditional praise). With the political heat that is on him now, as the heat gets hotter, before long, Governor Lawal might be shaking from his head, through his stomach to his feet. What is shaking the Governor today is the poor, dejected people of Kwara State. We will see what is shaking in Kwara State come 2003, when we can make the final determination and resolve to our epithet, "State of Harmony".

Kwara State must not go down.

Happy Glorious New Year 2003!

Thank you.