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Former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki has stated that he deliberately chose to abstain from the Ilorin Durbar, citing reasons of maintaining peace and showing respect for the Sheikh Alimi throne.
Saraki alleged that the current administration led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq deliberately excluded him from the Durbar event due to concerns over his popularity, which they viewed as a potential threat.
In response, the state government dismissed Saraki’s claims, asserting that he had not attended the Durbar since 2019 during his tenure as governor, and therefore was not invited to this year’s event. They emphasized that Saraki’s decision not to attend was influenced by advice from respected Islamic scholars and community leaders, who encouraged him to prioritize peace and avoid causing any disturbances in Ilorin.
According to a statement from Saraki’s Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki reaffirmed his commitment to the peace and unity of the Ilorin Emirate community. The statement highlighted that Saraki, as the Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin, opted to skip the event after learning of alleged government pressures to prevent his attendance, claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq feared he would overshadow the event.
“Saraki, who is the Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin, again restated his love for the Ilorin Emirate community and his commitment to an atmosphere of peace. So, for the sake of peace and the highest respect for the throne of Sheikh Alimi, he stayed off the Ilorin Durbar event today. Saraki’s decision not to attend was taken after respected traditional titleholders and top Islamic scholars appealed to him not to attend the event. This he disclosed after he was briefed that the government of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq does not want him around the festival for their personal and political reasons.”
Saraki further criticized the AbdulRazaq-led government for what he perceived as its failure to address poverty and provide effective governance, attributing their loss of public support to these shortcomings rather than his personal popularity.
In response, the government, through Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye, urged Saraki to refrain from dragging Governor AbdulRazaq into his personal issues and to take responsibility for his own actions. They emphasized the governor’s commitment to inclusive governance and cited instances of his cordial interactions with Saraki and other opposition figures at public events.
“Senator Bukola Saraki should leave Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq 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 a large heart to accommodate everyone to operate as they wish as bona fide 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.”
The statement emphasized that since the APC assumed power in 2019, Saraki had consistently declined to attend the Durbar celebrations, casting doubt on the sincerity of his recent statements.
