The Sarkin Gobir and Madawaki of Ilorin Emirate, Alhaji Yakubu Gobir, has urged supporters of Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Senator Saliu Mustapha to shun violence, personal attacks and inflammatory campaigns capable of threatening the peace and unity of Ilorin.
Gobir also appealed to AbdulRazaq, the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate, and Mustapha, the Turaki of Ilorin, to rise above their political differences and preserve the bonds of brotherhood, mutual respect and shared heritage that unite the people of the Emirate.
The traditional chief made the appeal while expressing concern that political disagreements between prominent leaders could be exploited by supporters in ways that deepen divisions and create bitterness within the community.
He urged loyalists of both political camps to exercise restraint in their public engagements, stressing that loyalty to a political leader should not translate into hostility towards those supporting opposing interests.
Gobir said his intervention was particularly informed by his longstanding personal relationships with both AbdulRazaq and Mustapha.
“I have known the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for almost 40 years, and I have also known the Turaki of Ilorin, Senator Saliu Mustapha, for almost 10 years.
“I have enjoyed a good personal relationship with both of them, and I regard both as brothers and friends,” he said.
According to him, having personally witnessed the mutual respect that existed between the two men over the years, it was regrettable that political differences could threaten the relationship and create tension among their supporters.
“Having known both of them personally for many years, I know that there is much more that unites them than divides them. Whatever political differences may exist today should not be allowed to erase years of friendship, mutual respect and shared history,” Gobir said.
He reminded their supporters that both leaders remained sons of Ilorin regardless of their political affiliations or differences.
“Before politics, there is brotherhood. Before political parties, there is Ilorin. That bond must remain stronger than whatever political differences may exist between us,” he said.
Gobir said political competition was a legitimate part of democratic practice but urged the two leaders and their supporters to demonstrate the maturity expected of political actors.
“Politics is a contest. We may disagree today and agree tomorrow, but bitterness should never be allowed to take the place of brotherhood,” he said.
The traditional chief particularly cautioned supporters against personal attacks and provocative statements, saying political loyalty should not be used to justify hostility.
“Loyalty does not mean hatred. You can defend your leader without insulting another man’s leader. You can disagree without destroying relationships,” he said.
Inflammatory Rhetoric
Gobir warned that inflammatory rhetoric could create wounds that would remain long after political contests had ended.
“We must be careful with the words we use. A political statement made today may create a wound that takes years to heal. We should not sacrifice the peace and unity of Ilorin for temporary political battles,” he said.
He noted that the people of Ilorin were connected through blood, marriage, history, culture and shared ancestry, stressing that preserving those bonds was a collective responsibility.
“Ilorin is one big family. We may belong to different political camps, but we still share the same heritage. When political disagreements begin to affect our relationships, the entire community feels the consequences,” Gobir said.
He further appealed to AbdulRazaq and Mustapha to recognise that their responsibilities extended beyond politics to the preservation of the dignity and unity of the Ilorin Emirate.
According to him, their traditional titles carry responsibilities that transcend political seasons.
“Our traditional titles are not merely for decoration. They come with responsibility. We have inherited a respected institution and a rich heritage from our forefathers, and it is our duty to protect its dignity and pass it on to the next generation,” he said.
“Governments will change. Political alliances will change. Elections will come and go. But Ilorin will remain. The traditional institutions and heritage we inherited from our forefathers must therefore remain above political disagreements,” he said.
Advocates of Peace
He urged traditional titleholders to remain advocates of peace, reconciliation and unity whenever disagreements arise among prominent members of the community.
“Our responsibility as traditional titleholders is to bring our people together, especially when there are disagreements. We must always look for what unites us rather than what divides us,” Gobir said.
He called on the governor and senator to lead by example by keeping open channels of dialogue and mutual respect despite their political differences.
“Let the two leaders show the way. Where there is disagreement, let there be dialogue. Where there is suspicion, let there be understanding. Their supporters will follow their example,” he said.
Gobir also urged political actors and their supporters to redirect their energy towards issues affecting the welfare and development of the people.
“The people are looking to their leaders for development, peace and good governance. They do not want to see their leaders and supporters fighting endlessly. They want us to build Ilorin together,” he said.
“Our children will inherit the relationships we preserve and the institutions we protect. We must therefore ask ourselves what kind of Ilorin we want to leave behind for them.”
Gobir concluded by calling for restraint, reconciliation and mutual respect among political and traditional stakeholders.
