REVEALED: How Kwara Government Canceled Durbar Festival Over Fear Of Saraki
Since its revitalization in 2018, the annual Ilorin Durbar celebration has become a political rallying point, with politicians using it to prove their might in Ilorin, the state capital of Kwara State.
The state government halted the Durbar festival in response to an intelligence report, but according to DAILY POST research, it was cancelled for political reasons.
Saraki has been traveling across the state for the past few days. On July 17th, he was in Patigi, where he paid a visit to the late Emir Chatta Umar’s family as well as the Ahman Pategi University in Patigi, Kwara North.
The senatorial district of Kwara North will be crucial in the 2023 election because it has not produced a governor since the country’s restoration to democracy.
The zone has two options: wait for Governor AbdulRahman’s two mandates to expire, or go along with Saraki.
He also paid a condolence visit to the family of Late Balogun Alanamu, Abubakar Akanbi, after the Late Balogun’s death.
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People in the state regard the former governor’s actions as part of a plan to reclaim his role as the state’s godfather.
Clashes at eid ground
On Tuesday, supporters of AbdulRahman AbdulRasak, the incumbent governor, and supporters of Bukola Saraki reportedly battled at the EID venue.
According to eyewitness accounts, the governor arrived to the prayer venue with Saraki already seated, and his supporters screamed “Sai Rahman!” as he walked in. Greetings, Rahman!
Following the prayer, Saraki supporters screamed sai bukky, sai bukki, interrupting the sermon that followed the prayers. At that point, the governor left the building.
Ibrahim Gambari, the president’s chief of staff, was also present at the Eid prayer site.
“Some forces plan to use the boisterous nature of the cultural event to instigate a breakdown of law and order in the state, thereby complicating national security challenges,” the government said in a statement issued by Rabiat Abdulrahman, Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Communications.
The cancellation was based on a police intelligence report, according to the administration.
The decision to suspend the Durbar festival was made out of fear of a repeat of what transpired at the EID, according to Bashir Madandola, Chairman of Kwara South PDP Youth Stakeholders.
“The governor did not expect that Bukky (Bukola Saraki) would be at the Eid ground. The governor is jittery as his popularity is diminishing.
“The governor does not want himself to be faced with someone more popular than him at the Durbar festival.”
Mr Saraki’s and Moshood Mustapha’s convoy was also allegedly targeted very near to the government House.
Horse parade despite the ban
Despite the prohibition on horse parades, some horsemen staged a march across the city on Thursday, blocking major routes.
The Emir’s carriage, Zulu Gambari, was also in the parade, though DAILY POST was unable to establish whether or not the Emir was in the carriage.
The Durbar celebration includes a horse show, similar to what is done in other Nigerian emirates.
Governor AbdulRasak was chastised in 2019 for not attending the Durbar and for allegedly failing to financially support the event.
Although the governor released N10 million for the event, the Kwara Media Forum issued a statement through its spokesperson, Mr Rotimi Sulyman.
Last year, COVID19 was unable to hold the event due to restrictions imposed by Eid and others.
Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, did not return phone calls or text messages.
APC infighting
The governor is facing a new challenge from within his own party, as his feud with the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has heated up.
Mr Lai recently claimed that he raised the entire budget for the state’s election prosecution, and even accused Olatunji Raheem, the member representing Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Isin/Irepodun federal constituency, of embezzling over N70 million in campaign funds.
In a rapid response, Raheem refuted the charge, claiming that Lai Mohammed “mismanaged N50 million” released by the governor for the 2018 bye-election.
On a daily basis, the O To Ge movement appears to be disintegrating, and Saraki appears to be the largest threat to the governor’s re-election.
