Saraki, Gbemisola react to Gov AbdulRazaq over the demolition of the Library named after their father

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his younger sister, the Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki, have reacted to the Kwara State government over the demolition of a library named after their late father, Olusola Saraki.

Newsflash Nigeria had reported on Tuesday evening that the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, destroyed Sola A. Saraki Library Complex in Ilorin.

The library named after the departed politician was torn down in Ilorin West Local Government Area on Tuesday afternoon.

The library has been used for years as a learning and resource centre for people around the local government, locals said.

The library which was demolished by governor Abdulrazaq is located along Kuntu, Agbo-Oba area, Ilorin.

But Former Governor of Kwara State and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has condemned the demolition of a library named after his late father, Olusola Saraki.

The development did not go down well with the Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki, who also expressed her displeasure.

The siblings wondered why the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, continued to demolish properties linked to their father.

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The former Senate President in his reaction said, “I just got the news that the major official assignment carried out by the Governor of my state, Kwara, today, is the demolition of an old public library named after my late dad, Dr Olusola Saraki.

“May Almighty Allah continue to retain a place for Oloye in Aljannah Firdaus.”

Gbemisola in her reaction said, “Yet again, today we find that the Governor of Kwara State’s focus is not on building up Kwara, but on demolishing buildings which were owned or named after my late father, the Waziri of Ilorin.

“No matter how many structures are demolished, Baba Saraki’s legacy can never be destroyed, because it lives in the hearts and minds of the great people of Kwara. May Allah continue to guide and protect us all.”

This is coming a year after the state government demolished the Ile Arugbo GRA residence of late Saraki.

The government claimed that the Ile Arugbo land on which the building was erected originally belonged to a state clinic, adding that it was only reclaiming the property.

Meanwhile, the state government in a statement on Tuesday evening said the building was dilapidated and had become a hiding place for hoodlums in the state and a threat to public safety.

It added in the statement titled ‘Clarifications on the renovation of Ilorin West Local Government’s Library Named After Senator Sola Saraki’ which was signed by Mukhtar AbdulGafar Omotosho on behalf of the Ilorin West Local Government (TIC) that the building was pulled down to renovate it and make it a more befitting public edifice.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, the government said,   “The facility is dilapidated and was serving as hideouts for some anti-social elements with consequences for public safety.

“The community appealed to the LGA authorities to do something about it.

“The LGA has moved in to remove parts of it preparatory to rehabilitating the facility by adding an ICT centre for public use.

After its reconstruction, it should retain the honorary name of Baba Saraki.”

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