The process that resulted in the election of Ali Ahmad as the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly penultimate week was not different from that of the emergence of his predecessor.
Kwara State has a peculiar political terrain where consensus institutionalized by the late strongman of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, has become the norm.
The consensus politics has been the hallmark of Saraki’s politics which he once said was the best measure to minimize intra-party conflict.
With Saraki’s demise, his first son, Bukola Saraki (now Senate President) took over the political dynasty of his late father and sustained the consensus arrangement in determining positions for his political family.
The emergence of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as the candidate then under PDP in 2011 was a product of consensus. His second term ticket was borne out of an in-house arrangement where others who wanted to contest were persuaded to shelve their ambition to allow Governor Ahmed complete his second term in office.
Other offices are usually allocated to loyal members of the dynasty including the speakership, and so primary elections are usually formalities in the state.
It would be recalled that former Speaker of the House, Razak Atunwa, who is now a member of the House of Representatives, was commissioner for works before a member from his constituency was persuaded to step down for him to enable him represent that constituency and ultimately emerged as Speaker.
So when Ahmad, who was elected to represent Ilorin East/South Federal constituency in the House of Representatives in 2011 was asked to come home and contest for a lower position as a member of the state House of Assembly, it was glaring from the beginning that the lawmaker was not being demoted as some observers suggested.
With Ahmad contesting for Ilorin South constituency, it was more like a fait accompli that he would emerge the next Speaker of the House given his personality and track record. As a member of the 7th House of Representatives, Ahmad did not only head the Justice Committee, he was also a member of the ad hoc committee which investigated the fuel subsidy regime.
In a report, titled, “Status of Bills, Petitions and Other Legislative Measures,” released on the authority of the former House Speaker and now governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, 169 lawmakers sponsored bills within the period.
However, among the total bills sponsored and co-sponsored by the legislators in the four years, Ahmad topped others overwhelmingly with a total number of 36 bills sponsored.
He was followed by Uzoma Nkem Abonta with 32 bills and Femi Gbajabiamila with 20. It would be recalled that 10 of his bills were passed in a session, having scaled all the processes. The 10 bills bother on criminal justice system.
So on 8th June when the 8th Kwara Assembly was to be inaugurated, it was seen as a formalization of the selection of Ali Ahmad as Speaker of the 24-member House wholly populated by All Progressives Congress (APC) members. He was nominated by Hasan Oyeleke representing Ojomu/Shao constituency of Offa local government council and seconded by Adamu Usman (Okuta/Yashikira constituency of Baruten local government. He was unanimously elected by other members of the House.
Speaking after his inauguration as new Speaker, he said he was honoured to be elected as Speaker considering the status of Kwara State in Nigeria’s political history.
Ahmad, who said the tasks ahead were daunting, added that economic reality in the country was frightening as youth unemployment remained high.
His words, “We must be creative in finding short and long term solutions to the challenges, including security of lives and property.” He urged his colleagues not to be complacent just because there was no opposition.
And to stave off any wagging of tongues, especially by the opposition party, the ruling APC issued a statement commending the process which produced the Speaker.
The ruling party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, noted that the lawmakers in their “own volition chose their leaders without let or hindrance.”
The party urged all other state assemblies “to take a cue from the maturity and decorum which were the hallmark of the inauguration of the 8th Assembly in Kwara State.”
It also admonished the newly inaugurated lawmakers to support the administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, especially at this critical time when the nation grapples with the challenge of dwindling allocation.
“We however remind the legislators that they are coming on board at a time the state and the country at large is witnessing a shortfall in revenue needed for critical infrastructure and economic advancement. It therefore behoves on them to rally round the Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed-led government in the onerous task of governance of the state at this critical period,” the statement said.
It added, “We particularly commend the choice of Dr. Ali Ahmad as the Speaker of the Assembly. Coming at a time that reports emerged that Dr. Ahmad was the sponsor of the highest number of bills during the life of the out-gone 7th Federal House of Representative, the choice of Ahmad couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Over the years, Dr. Ahmad has proven his mettle as a brilliant and cosmopolitan team player, as well as a loyal and disciplined party man who is ready to sacrifice personal interest for the larger interest of his party. As a party, we are convinced that Dr. Ahmad will consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors.”
The people of the state expect the new Speaker to bring his experience to bear in driving legislative business. Analysts express optimism that the newly inaugurated assembly would build on the performance of the last legislature through passage of people-oriented bills and motions and thorough supervision of the executive arm of government towards delivering the much desired democratic dividends to the people.
