A phenomenon in Kwara politics

IN the literary context hope is defined as “being able to see that in spite of all darkness there is light”. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” In centuries past, notable men of history such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Abraham Lincoln, and Obafemi Awolowo were known for giving men hope in the face of dizzying hopelessness. They did this through many of their platforms: Activism, free education programs, pulpit, writing, and by speaking up against the oppression of the voiceless and helpless that brought about the meaningful abolition of race and color discrimination in our society. Today, all people are equal and have become citizens of the world thanks to the effort of those who have sacrificed everything to give hope to the people.

At home in the state of Kwara, the Turaki of Llorin, Saliu Mustapha, embodies hope in everything he does. Judging by his unsullied antecedents and records, this eminent man of character and integrity shows hope. His Saliu Mustapha Foundation is a true platform that symbolizes hope and help as thousands were lifted from the dungeon of hopelessness. Through his Saliu Mustapha Foundation, countless youth have been rehabilitated and empowered; oriented and discouraged by social vices, sent to school, received scholarship and grants; widows supported, relief supplies provided and much more.

In Kwara state, Mustapha is a household name as a result of his unusual and unusual philanthropic gestures to free the masses from the clutches of poverty and endemic hopelessness. Moved by his unusual magnanimity aimed at the emancipation of the have-nots, the Emir of Llorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari, bestowed on him in May this year the title of Turaki of Llorin, a recognition that goes beyond sentiment and politics. As part of its own way of giving back to society, in May of this year, the Saliu Mustapha Foundation donated 17 state-of-the-art boreholes to be placed in each of the 17 political wards in the state’s Asa Local Government Area under the holistic supervision of the Lower Authority for the Development of the Niger River Basin. As a student activist, he had more than a passing interest in politics, and this culminated in him having his political tutelage under Chief Alex Aniello, Olu Falae, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, and President Muhammadu Buhari. Saliu Mustapha was active in the political field in the early 2000s.

Between 2001 and 2002, he was the National Publicity Secretary of the Progressive Liberation Party (PLP). In 2003, he joined like-minded people to register Progressive Action Congress (PAC), where he again served as the National Publicity Secretary; and later joined All Peoples Party (APP), which later morphed into All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and later merged into Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). In the defunct CPC, Mustapha served as Deputy National Chairman. In 2013, he was part of progressive individuals who joined forces to change Nigeria’s ugly political narratives by founding All Progressives Congress (APC).

In 2018, Mustapha expressed interest in rewriting Kwara State’s none-too-attractive administrative fiasco, but a clique went on federal radio to announce his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race, a withdrawal that never came from him or his camp. After this act of political shenanigans, his followers felt despondent as they believed he would ditch APC’s ship, but as a loyal party man, he stayed where he was. Fast-forward to 2022, he once again expressed interest in manning the APC goalpost as National Party chairman, a position for which he is eminently qualified, but some power blocs persuaded him to concede to the interest of the president, which he obliged without being a dissident.

As a way of rewarding him for his loyalty, he fought to represent Kwara Central in the Red Chamber, and won the primary by defeating a sitting senator. Today Mustapha in Kwara has demonstrated capacity, competence and reliability through his many philanthropic platforms. As he hopes to represent the good people of Kwara Central in the Senate, if he wins, many more people will continue to glow in renewed hope.

• Giwa, a media and legal consultant, writes from the UK

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