The Ilorin Project Advancement Initiative (IPAI) has cautioned former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on his reported move to destabilise the traditional status quo of the Ilorin Emirate.
The group in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Barrister Sulaiman Ibrahim said the Ilorin Emirate is older than Saraki, lambasting him for attempting to gain political capital for his rejected dynasty by spiting the Emirate and the Emir.
According to Ibrahim, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari is a respected monarch not only in Kwara State but also across the country.
“We are therefore shocked to read in some online media that Dr Bukola Saraki is planning to disrespect the revered royal stool of Shehu Alimi with his dirty politics. We won’t condone such disrespect for the Emir because our royal father should never be a subject of ridicule. We shall fight this cause to the last.
“The report that he would destabilize the relationships that exist in Ilorin Emirate is better as an afterthought because this will only create tension and division in the society. We urge politicians to be careful with issues they play politics with. We are equally befuddled that the former Senate President has threatened to make the Chairmanship of the Kwara State Traditional Council which has always been headed by the Emir rotational if they get power back in the state. We agree that all these moves are spiteful to the Emir, and we warn Saraki to desist henceforth.
“All these plots as we learnt are due to the royal endorsement the Emir has given to the incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The endorsement to us is well deserved because AbdulRazaq has performed excellently well across all sectors of the state. The respect he accords to the traditional institution itself is unparalleled. What we used to know before were attempts to intimidate the traditional institution. It is still fresh in our memories how Saraki under his administration forced our monarchs in the state to welcome cows from Zimbabwe for his corrupt scheme called Shonga Farms. We also recall how he forced and influenced the conferment of Ilorin traditional title on his artiste-friend Jay Z as Sarkin Waka. All these inanities are no longer happening under the current administration. Monarchs are having their rightful place of respect and dignity.
“Does Saraki want the Emir to turn back at a performing administration that has made life comfortable for the ordinary citizens and spread dividends of democracy across the state? This is an administration that has gained wide acceptance among the masses. Previous administrations were known for empowering thugs to cause trouble and exhibit thuggery which is against our values here in Ilorin. Many of our brothers have been turned to street urchins who carry guns about. That itself is a threat to our security. We all saw the case of Ojulari who’s standing trial. We saw the Offa Robbery which sent many people to early graves. These are not the kinds of episodes Kwarans want again. The choice that our traditional institution has made is therefore understandable.
“Our people now have water to drink and use, whereas under the past administration, they were made to suffer before getting water. Our basic school structures are now standard with the kind of meaningful investments channeled into it, unlike in the past where schools looked like prison yards. Our brothers and sisters who work with the state now get their salaries as and when due. Our retired parents get their pensions and gratuities adequately. We can not in any sense compare this administration to the past. We therefore throw our weight behind the royal endorsement of the Emir for Governor AbdulRazaq and warn Saraki and his co-travellers to desist from ridiculing the seat of the Emir with their words and actions. The Ilorin Emirate is older than Saraki. Ilorin Emirate has always been there before his father came. We gave them shelter here in Ilorin. The history is clear. Therefore, we won’t tolerate utterances that are capable of causing tension and hard feelings in our Emirate. Saraki should be cautioned.