Rafiu Ibrahim
Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim represented Kwara South Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly. He was also Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance. He talks to select journalists in Ilorin on the 58th birthday of Immediate past President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, his leadership style among others. Hammed Shittu was part of the chat. Excerpts:
What is your relationship with Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki?
Perhaps, contrary to public guess, my relationship with Dr. Saraki is completely brotherly. He is a big brother (he personally adopted me as one, long ago), an outstanding one for that matter. He is a mentor, a guide both in personal and public life, and a very loyal friend. He radiates loyalty – reciprocal or not. In my own case, in fact, I believe he is more loyal to me than I am to him. What makes our bond very natural is that Baba Saraki, the late Waziri, personally handed me over to him. Baba himself was a father figure (I wish I could tell the entire story here) who gave us, sons of no bodies, the opportunity to not only succeed but to make impacts in life. So, how Dr. Bukola Saraki is my brother is unequivocal. Our bond is beyond political interest or gains.