Saraki Announces Decision To Stay Away From 1445 AH Ilorin Durbar..It’s Commendable-Kwara PDP…No, He Acted In Bad Faith-Gov AbdulRazaq

 President of the 8th Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki ,has announced his decision to stay away from the 1445 AH Ilorin Durbar which is currently underway, and he has cited the need to ensure continued peace in the Kwara state capital adding that he also did this in deference to the Sheikh Alimi throne.

He  restated his love for the Ilorin Emirate Community and his commitment to an atmosphere of peace adding that he would not be participating in the event  ‘for the sake of peace and highest respect for the throne of Sheikh Alimi’.

Saraki’s  Press Officer on Local Matters, Mr  Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir  noted in a statement he issued in Ilorin and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com  that the former senate president’s  decision not to attend  the event was taken after respected traditional title holders and top Islamic scholars appealed  to him not to do so.  

‘We understand that tremendous pressure was put on the Ilorin Emirate Council by the  state Government  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.

The rejection of the Abdulrazaq- led government by the people is because of its failure to eradicate poverty, provide quality leadership and being unable to deliver on good governance. We implore the governor to sit up and stop blaming Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki for the problems he has created for himself and his government’ the statement said.

Saraki ,who is a principal traditional title holder in the  Ilorin Emirate Council,  said he ‘is staying away from the traditional festival because of peace and orderliness’.  

The statement also noted  that Saraki is not responsible for the failures of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq administration, and should therefore not be a nightmare or be a cover-up for the government’s failures adding that ‘ the Waziri Ngeri 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’ Saraki submitted while  wishing  the organizers of this year’s Durbar success and imploring 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 them  to celebrate with moderation and eschew any act that could truncate peace and orderliness in the state’  he said.

 Kwara state  PDP  has commended  the  leader of the party in the state,  Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki  for what it called ‘ his unwavering commitment to the peace and stability of the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara state  in general’. 

The party noted that Dr. Saraki had  earlier  in the day announced the cancellation of his plans to  attend  this year’s Ilorin Durbar festival  in the interest of peace, adding that this was also sequel  to appeals from ‘the Palace and other notable Islamic clerics in Ilorin’. 

In a statement issued in Ilorin and made available to  Team@orientactualmags.com by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party lauded Dr. Saraki’s peaceful stance, noting that as a former chief executive of the state, who served as governor for two terms of eight years, a  former Senate President, and the highest traditional title holder in the Emirate, he has, once again, demonstrated his commitment to the peace and unity of Ilorin and his regard for traditional and religious leaders in the state. 

The party said it was very clear that the ‘huge, organic, and warm reception’ that Dr. Saraki received at the Ilorin Eid praying ground on Sunday had unsettled Governor Abdulrazaq and his camp that had allegedly spent millions of naira to mobilize praise-singers and party supporters to the Eid praying ground. It added that the governor and his camp were, however, pained by the overwhelming admiration and support accorded Dr. Saraki at the Eid praying ground. 

‘Our party believes that the governor’s camp was intimidated by Dr. Saraki’s popularity and  did not want his presence at the Durbar. As a result of this, they have plotted to create chaos during the event and falsely attribute it to Dr. Saraki and his supporters. Sensing the desperation of the governor’s camp, the Emir’s Palace had no choice but to plead to and dissuade Dr. Saraki from attending the Durbar, in the interest of peace and order. 

We urge the governor and those around him to recognize that Dr. Saraki’s enduring popularity and goodwill among Kwarans and the Ilorin Emirate people  are a testament to his exceptional leadership and selfless service to the people. No amount of effort or resources spent to prevent his presence at the Durbar can diminish the love and appreciation that resides in the hearts of the people. His legacy is deeply rooted in the hearts of the citizens, and not confined to a specific event or venue.

Our party notes that as the Waziri of Ilorin, the highest traditional title holder under the Emir, Dr. Saraki’s decision  not to attend the Durbar reflects his dedication to upholding the sanctity of Sheik 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 had eagerly anticipated his presence to add vibrancy and glamour to the event.

The Kwara PDP enjoins Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to focus more on examining himself rather than seeing Dr. Saraki as the reason behind his wanton failures in leadership. There’s still time to be proactive and retrace his steps from all his anti-masses policies, including wasteful spending of billions of taxpayer’s money and crippling of local government administration in the state. 

The Kwara state PDP calls on all stakeholders to follow in the footsteps of  Dr. Saraki with respect to his exemplary leadership in prioritizing the peace, welfare and harmony of our people above his personal gains’ the statement added. 

Reacting to the press release issued by Saraki’s media aide announcing the former Senate President’s decision to stay away from the durbar, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has accused the former governor of acting in bad faith.

The governor’s  Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye  in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com accused Saraki of exhibiting behaviours that are not statesmanlike at public events while asserting  that AbdulRazaq’s popularity has not diminished in any way adding that the landslide victories of 2019 and 2023 elections  had  since confirmed this.

‘Senator Bukola Saraki should leave Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) out of his self-inflicted shame of not being able to hold himself to the standard expected of a statesman who should exhibit decorum, decency, and good behaviour. 

The governor has repeatedly shown humility and continued to show himself as a large-hearted person who is willing  to accommodate everyone and allow them  operate as they wish as bonafide citizens. He is not about to go low because of Senator Saraki’s provocative behaviour and intent to foul the atmosphere with his unstatesmanly conduct at public events.

Repeatedly, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has demonstrated his belief in politics without bitterness through his all-inclusive politics that addresses the needs of all citizens in the state, irrespective of any differences.

In sustained demonstration of his statesmanship and large-heartedness, the governor shook hands with the former Senate President and other opposition politicians at the Ilorin Eid praying ground.

The landslide victories of 2019 and 2023 elections in Kwara state are clear testimonies of how the people of Kwara state have preferred the governor to lead the state. He is thankful to God and to the people for the vote of confidence in his humble leadership.

Finally, 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 added-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you