Former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Monday, announced his decision to stay away from Ilorin annual Durbar festival this year 2024, in order to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and orderliness in the state and most importantly, due to his respect for the throne of Sheikh Alimi.
Ilorin Durbar is an annual event that usually allows sons and daughters of Ilorin both at home and diaspora to converge at Ilorin emir’s Palace to showcase the bound cultural values of the town.
It is usually marked by the people of the community after the three days of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Ilorin.
However, a statement issued in Ilorin on Tuesday by the former Senate President, Saraki and signed by Abdulqadir Abdulganiyu, his Press Officer on Local Matters, Saraki stated, “My decision not to attend was taken after respected traditional title holders and top Islamic scholars appealed to me not to attend the event”.
Saraki who is the highest ranked traditional tittle holder of Ilorin, Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin, however restated his love for the Ilorin Emirate Community and his commitment to an atmosphere of peace
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”.
The statement said, “We understand that tremendous pressure was put on the Ilorin Emirates Council by the Government of the state to stop Waziri Ngeri from attending the event. Abdulrazaq is jittery that the former Governor, Saraki, will steal the show as usual.
“The rejection of the AbdulRazaq led government by the people is because of its alleged failure to eradicate poverty, provide quality leadership and not being able to deliver on good governance.
“We implore the Governor to sit up and stop blaming Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki for the problem he created for himself and his government.”
“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, however wished the organizer of this year Durbar a success and implore them to deliver on promises made during consultation and planning of the event.
“I also wish our people 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,”he said
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