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Kwara State’s ruling All Progressives Congress party, APC, and former 8th Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, are at loggerheads over the 2024 Eid el-Kabir durbar staged on Tuesday in Ilorin, the state capital.
Dr Saraki, had in a statement restated his love for the Ilorin Emirate Community and his commitment to an atmosphere of peace, declaring that for the sake of peace and highest respect for the throne of Sheikh Alimi, he would stay away from the Ilorin durbar event.
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, according to a statement by his press officer on local matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulkadir, in Ilorin on Tuesday.
“This, he disclosed after he was briefed that the government of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq do not want him around the festival for their personal and political reasons.
Saraki who is the highest ranked traditional holder of Ilorin said he is staying away from the traditional festival for peace and orderliness.
A statement by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, said his principal is not responsible for the failure of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq administration, and should not be a nightmare or means to cover for the government’s failure.
According to the media aide, Saraki was in high spirit to join the peace loving people of the Emirate to celebrate the traditional festival of his people until the move by the government to stop him.
“Regrettably, I wish to announce that for peace and tranquility, I am staying away from the durbar celebration this year,” he stated.
Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, in a statement in Ilorin on Tuesday, said Dr Saraki’s statement was in bad faith as he had never attended Ilorin durbar since 2019.
According to him: “Senator Saraki should leave Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq out of his self-inflicted shame of not being to hold himself to the standard expected of a statesman who should exhibit decorum, decency and good behavior.
“The governor, has repeatedly shown humility and large heart to accommodate everyone to operate as they wish as bona fide citizens.
“He is about to go low because of Senator Saraki’s provocative behavior and intent to foul the atmosphere with his unstatemanly conduct at public events.”
The statement noted that the governor had repeatedly demonstrated his belief in politics without bitterness through his inclusive politics that addresses the needs of all citizens in the state, irrespective of any differences.
“In sustained demonstration of his statesmanship, the governor shook hands with the former Senate President and other opposition politicians at the Ilorin Eid praying ground.
“To the best of our knowledge, Senator Saraki has never attended the Ilorin durbar since 2019. His statement, therefore reeks of mischief and bad faith, which we leave history to judge,” the statement declared.
