Saki’s Political History Tells a Different Story
There is an attempt to portray Saki as a community where religion determines electoral outcomes. But our political history tells a different story.
Saki has never been a place where religious identity alone determines who gets elected. Our people have demonstrated, on several occasions, that competence, credibility, experience and goodwill can transcend religious boundaries.
Let’s look at some examples.
1️⃣ Hon. Olajide Olatubosun: Competence Beyond Religion
Hon. Olajide Olatubosun, a Christian from Ago Amodu in Saki East, won the House of Representatives election for the Saki West, Saki East and Atisbo Federal Constituency on two consecutive occasions.
In 2015, he contested against strong Muslim candidates, including Alhaji Azeez Jimoh West and others.
His second-term victory was even more convincing, as he defeated notable candidates, including Hon. Adeagbo Fasasi Amifas and Hon. Musah Abdulwasi.
The lesson? Religious identity did not prevent a Christian candidate from winning in a predominantly Muslim community.
2️⃣ Hon. Akinwale-Bada: Another Example of Cross-Religious Support
Hon. Akinwale-Bada, a Christian, also won an election against Alhaji Nascotech, a prominent Muslim chieftain.
This is another example that challenges the notion that Saki’s electorate votes strictly along religious lines.
When voters see a candidate they trust, religious differences do not necessarily stand in the way.
3️⃣ Hon. Femi Julius: The 2019 Political Statement
In 2019, Hon. Femi Julius defeated the popular Alhaji Azeez Jimoh West and other notable Muslims.
That victory further demonstrated that electoral outcomes in Saki cannot simply be reduced to religious calculations.
Candidates win or lose elections for a variety of reasons, including their track record, political structures, public acceptance, party dynamics, campaign strategies and the prevailing political climate.
Religion is only one of the many factors people may consider, and it does not tell the whole story.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Muslims who have won elections in Saki did not necessarily win simply because they were Muslims.
Similarly, when Christian candidates have lost elections, it would be inaccurate to attribute those losses solely to religion.
Electoral victories and defeats are shaped by a combination of factors, and religious identity alone cannot adequately explain them.
So, when anyone attempts to paint Saki as a community that votes strictly along religious lines, we must ask:
Does our political history truly support that narrative?
The evidence from past elections suggests that the people of Saki have, at different times, supported candidates across religious lines.
What matters is the candidate’s credibility, competence, experience, goodwill and ability to connect with the electorate.
SAKI DESERVES A FAIRER NARRATIVE.
Let’s stop reducing our political choices to religion.
Let’s focus on the issues, the candidates and the quality of representation they offer.
Saki is bigger than religious politics. Saki is bigger than political propaganda.
Our political history deserves to be told honestly.
#SakiVotesCompetenceOverReligion
#Aryke_Afrika
