The former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said that his decision to stay off today’s 2024 Ilorin Emirate Durbar festival is borne out of his love for the Ilorin Emirate community and his commitment to an atmosphere of peace.
In a statement by Saraki’s Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, on Tuesday, he said Saraki’s decision not to attend was taken after respected traditional title holders and top Islamic scholars appealed to him not to attend the event.
“So, for the sake of peace and the highest respect for the throne of Sheikh Alimi, he has decided to stay off the Ilorin Durbar event today.”.
The statement also said that Saraki made the decision after he was briefed that the Kwara state government did not want him around the festival for alleged personal and political reasons.
“We understand that tremendous pressure was put on the Ilorin Emirates Council by the government of the state to stop the Waziri of Ilorin from attending the event. Abdulrazaq is jittery that the former governor, Dr Saraki, will steal the show as usual.
“We implore the governor to sit up and stop blaming Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki for the problem in the state.”
Saraki, who is the highest-ranked traditional title holder of Ilorin, said that he is staying away from the traditional festival for peace and orderliness.
According to the media aide, Saraki, who is the Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin, was in high spirits to join the peace-loving people of the Emirate to celebrate the traditional festival of his people until the government moved to stop him.
“Dr Saraki wished the organisers of Durbar this year a success and implored them to deliver on promises made during consultation and planning of the event.
“I wish our people a happy celebration and many more to come. I implore us to celebrate with moderation and eschew any act that could truncate peace and orderliness in the state,” the statement said.
Also, the Kwara state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended its leader, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, for his commitment to peace and stability in the Emirate and across the state.
In a statement issued in Ilorin by the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Mr. Olusegun Adewara, the party lauded Saraki’s peaceful stance, noting that as a two-time governor of Kwara State, former Senate President, and the highest traditional title holder in the Emirate, Dr. Saraki has once again demonstrated his commitment to peace, unity, and esteemed regards for the throne of Sheikh Alimi and Kwara state traditional institutions.
“The party saw that the warm reception Dr. Saraki had received at the Ilorin Eid praying ground earlier unsettled Governor Abdulrahman and his camp.
“Our party believes this has caused panic in the governor, leading to his recent jittery. His attempts to pressure the Emir’s palace to dissuade Dr. Saraki from attending Durbar are unacceptable, unwarranted, and a clear display of inferiority complex from the highest executive office holder in the state.
“We wish to remind the Governor and those around him to be guided and understand that Saraki’s love is in the hearts of Kwarans and Ilorin Emirate, due to his years of unprecedented leadership and incomparable compassionate services to the people; hence, no efforts aimed at stopping Saraki’s presence at the Durbar can erase his love, which is embedded in the hearts of the people and not at the Durbar venue.
“Our party notes that as the Waziri of Ilorin, the highest traditional title holder under the Emir, Dr. Saraki’s decision reflects his dedication to upholding the sanctity of Sheikh Alimi and the revered throne of the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari. This decision was undoubtedly a difficult one, considering the thousands of Ilorin residents who eagerly anticipated his presence to add vibrancy to the event.
The Kwara State PDP calls on all stakeholders to follow Dr. Saraki’s exemplary leadership in prioritising the welfare and harmony of our people above his personal gains.
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