Kwara Cries For Comfort As Saraki Returns

By GWG Staff

Hours after Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrahman pledged to stop pension payments to Dr. Bukola Saraki and other former governors, the former Senate President stormed Ilorin, the Kwara State capital to an enthusiastic welcome.

It was the first time that Saraki was entering Ilorin since he left office as Senate President more than a year ago.

Saraki’s presence in Ilorin was to honour his late father, Senator Olusola Saraki who died eight years ago.

It was supposed to be a very somber time, but it turned into a political carnival as Ilorin welcomed the man that it just about two years ago rejected.

Also present was the minister of state for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who is Bukola’s brother but with whom they are politically estranged.

Gbemi had been in Ilorin days earlier having come as an emissary for President Muhammadu Buhari to the youths of Ilorin. Buhari and his political appendages it would be recalled were instrumental in uprooting Bukola’s political hold in Kwara State during the 2019 General Election.

The mammoth crowd that welcomed Bukola was visible from the airport which they besieged.

Apparently reflective of the difficult times they have been facing, as Bukola stepped down he was received with shouts of “idera de”, (comfort has returned).

That was the chorus as Bukola’s entourage snaked through the streets of Ilorin as hundreds of people came out to catch a glimpse of Bukola who had to rise above the open roof SUV he was in to be seen.

The vehicles went through Garin Alimi area, Sawmill Road and nearby areas of Ilorin before arriving at the Emir’s Palace.

It was not an easy task for the entourage given the flow of people who came out to catch a sight of Bukola.

If the road was blocked then the scene in the neighbourhood of the Saraki family house at Ilofa GRA was another thing the whole area was taken over by excited political associates and followers of the former governor and Senate President.

Among those present at the 8th year fidau prayer held at the family residence were Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Kola Shittu, former Acting national chairman of the PDP, Alh Abubakar Kawu Baraje and a former speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad among many others.

The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashir Solihu led the fidau prayers. He was supported by the Grand Mukadam of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Dan-Borno, Sheikh Saanu Sheu and Imam AbdulRazaq Aduagba.

Sheikh Bashir pointed out that the love which the late Saraki had for Ilorin and the people was being shown by the huge turnout for the prayer session even eight years after his death.

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