The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gbemi Saraki

  • Gbemi Saraki’s fate in the balance

    IN Nigerian politics, your last name goes a long way in determining how far you can go. And if you are the child of Olusola Saraki, late Senate Majority Leader in the Second Republic and strongman of Kwara politics, you may enjoy certain political privileges from the Federal Government without breaking sweat. Little wonder rumours of Senator Gbemisola Saraki’s recent nomination for ministerial role do not come as a shock to many.

    Gbemisola, daughter of late Saraki, is a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State and has become a major force for the party in Kwara State since her elder brother, Senator Bukola Saraki, defected to the All Peoples Congress (APC). In shocking twist, however, when the list of ministerial nominees was finally released over a month ago, Gbemi’s name was conspicuously missing.

    Some said she was dropped at the last minute because a powerful clique in Abuja worked against her interest. Others say her nomination is only being delayed until the end of the ongoing National Conference where Gbemi is a delegate.

  • The redefinition of Gbemi Saraki

    The redefinition of Gbemi Saraki

    Senator Gbemi Saraki, the beautiful daughter of the late godfather of Kwara politics, Senator Olushola Saraki, is presently enjoying a new status in Kwara politics. At the recent state PDP congress, held last week, Gbemi shocked other political heavy weights in the PDP when she made it clear to all that others needed rare political skill to stand shoulder to shoulder with her when political matters are on the cards. This is understandable, because she was born into politics and also spent 12 years at the National Assembly under the tutelage of the late Wazinrin of Ilorin. After the congress that lasted for two days, Senator Gbemi Saraki emerged as the state PDP leader, registering herself as a master and authority in the game. The senator made others face a crushing defeat and had their pride and political egos deeply wounded and deflated. The ever-smiling senator has revealed an innate resilience and passion that has kept her going against all odds.

  • I’ve no Quarrel with Gbemi Saraki, says Bola Shagaya

    I’ve no Quarrel with Gbemi Saraki, says Bola Shagaya

    AS you read this, billionaire businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya, is livid with rage. Her anger stems from the rumour that she is not in good terms with Senator Gbemi Saraki, the colourful daughter of the late strong man of Kwara politics, Senator Olushola Saraki.

    The influential socialite told Celeb Watch in a telephone interview that the story of her quarrel with Gbemi is baseless. ‎”In fact, she is with me as I’m talking to you,” she said. She advised those she called rumour mongers to concentrate on issues that would add value to the nation’s economy.

    There had been rumours in recent times that the two prominent daughters of Kwara State had engaged each other in a battle of supremacy as they struggle to control the machinery of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. A report claimed that while Shagaya was happy that Gbemi defected back to PDP after her futile governorship aspiration in an obscure party, she took an exception to Gbemi becoming the party’s leader in Kwara State.

    Bola Shagaya was said to have stood against Gbemi’s nomination for ministerial appointment after her name propped up in the Presidency last month. But the said report sent Shagaya into high dudgeon and forced her to denounce their rumoured quarrel.

  • Gbemi Saraki’s nomination divides Kwara PDP

    Gbemi Saraki’s nomination divides Kwara PDP

    There is tension in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, following reports that Senator Gbemisola Saraki may be tipped as a minister.

    Senator Saraki is said to lead the pack of those jostling to replace the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

    But it was gathered that some top party chieftains are against her choice, threatening to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, should the Presidency nominate her.

    It was learnt the former senator, who represented Kwara Central, had the backing of the party’s National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu.

    Other likely PDP chieftains jostling to replace the ex-Sports minister include Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC) Shuaib Abdulraheem; Kunle Sulyman; Deacon John Dara and Bio Ibrahim.

    Others are Yekini Alabi; Salman M. Ajadi; Lola Ashiru; Muinat Shagaya; Bode Ojomu and Yinka Aluko.

    Since the defection of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki to the APC, the state PDP has been engulfed in a battle for supremacy.

    A source said: “We have told the president and the PDP leadership to forget Kwara votes, if Gbemisola Saraki is nominated.’’

    Forces opposed to Senator Saraki’s choice as minister are spearheaded by a billionaire businesswoman, who is said to be close to Patience Jonathan.

    The Ilorin-born businesswoman, it was gathered, boasted that she would splash N2 billion to disrupt the ruling APC in 2015.

    The source added: “If Gbemi emerges as a minister, she will assume the leadership of PDP against the interest of the billionaire businesswoman.

    “Gbemi’s appointment as minister would amount to a perpetuation of Saraki’s dynasty, which the PDP members are believed to be waging a war against.”

    Another source said: “Members believe that a minister is the leader in the absence of a governor, who is regarded as the leader of the party.”

    APC’s State Interim Chair Ishola Balogun-Fulani said the developments showed that the PDP was rudderless.

    Balogun-Fulani added that many PDP members would soon join the APC, saying “they are only on sabbatical leave at present.

    “The PDP crisis to me is its cup of tea. I want to say it shows that the PDP has no leader. Right now, there are about eight factions in the party and so, if they decide to give Gbemi a ministerial slot and the crisis erupts, that is their problem. We will welcome more members into our party.”

  • Tundun Abiola’s marriage finally collapses

    Tundun Abiola’s marriage finally collapses

    THERE is unconfirmed news making the rounds that all may not be well with the marriage of Tundun, one of the daughters of the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993, election the late Bashorun MKO Abiola, to Benue State-born Atama Attah. To put paid to the speculations, Attah last weekend remarried. He signed the dotted lines with the Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Job Creation, Josephine Washima. Attah, businessman and popular socialite, we gathered, moved on few months after his divorce to Tudun was granted. They separated last year after only three years of marriage.

    Delectable Tundun is a lawyer by training, she cut her teeth in the legal profession at the famous FRA Williams chamber before going on to work with Senator Gbemi Saraki as her legislative assistant.