Kwara 2027: PDP Chieftain Decries Shabby Treatment By Saraki, Party
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Former Commissioner of Works and Transport in Kwara State, Hon. Rotimi Iliasu, who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the 2027 Kwara North Senatorial seat, has accused the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, of high handedness.
According to him, the former Senate President instructed PDP machinery to seize the senatorial ticket he had won at the party’s primary election that was adjudged to be free and fair.
Iliasu disclosed this on Saturday in Ilorin while featuring on the Kwara State Correspondents chapel’s News Keg programme, where he also hinted on how he and his father were betrayed by Saraki.
The 45-year old politician from Moro local government area lamented that his hopes to be an exemplary role model for the youths in the district and the entire State before joining the PDP were shartered when the party leadership allegedly substituted his name.
He recalled several moves to plead with with the PDP leader (Saraki), only to meet brick-wall each time.
Iliasu disclosed: “I left the APC because I was not duly acknowledged by the Governor.”
He disclosed the circumstances surrounding his defection to the PDP, including lack of justice, fairness and equity in the ruling APC.
“I mobilised for the PDP in Baruten, Moro and Kaiama when APC was ruling those areas against the people’s wish.
“They joined and voted for me because of my antecedents. Gentle men of the press, on the day of the primary election, the PDP Chairman made calls to people not to vote for me, but Allah made me to win. But despite my winning in the primary election, I was the only winner whose name was not announced.
“When I asked the officers of the party, they asked me to go to the party Chairman who bluntly refused to reverse the stance. He, however, gave a condition that i should write a withdrawal letter before my name could be announced.
“I refused to write the letter because of my respect for the people who damned all consequences to vote for me,” he recalled.
Iliasu added that thereafter he made several efforts to appease Saraki including visiting his Abuja residence where he (Iliasu) was allegedly ordered out.
His words: “I sent many text messages to the leader (Saraki) who later asked me to see him at his residence in Abuja.
“When I got there, he asked me why I was in his house, and I reminded him of our text exchanges, then he asked what I wanted from him.
“When I told him, he pointedly told me that heaven would not fall even if I go to court. I left his presence. I then realise that I could only see respite in Court, that was why I went to court.
“I went to court for justice, i went to court for people to know that in court justice could be secured. If i lose, so be it but if i win then Allah has decreed,” he stated amidst visible emotion.”
