By Wahab Oba
On Christmas Day, Ilorin indigenes gathered, as is customary, at the forecourt of the Emir of Ilorin’s palace, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, for the annual Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) meeting. Traditionally a unifying event for all Emirate descendants, this gathering has unfortunately devolved into a partisan assembly dominated by loyalists of the governor and a faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Conspicuously absent this year were top traditional titleholders and notable personalities such as the Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Wakili Ngeri, Alhaji Moshood Mustapha; Turaki of Ilorin, Senator Saliu Mustapha; Prof. Abdulfatai Aremu; and Lukman Mustapha, among others. Their absence was not an act of defiance or disdain for the Emirate but a response to the intolerant disposition of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, an Ilorin indigene and a traditional titleholder, and possibly for non-invitation of these perceived opponents of the governor by the IEDPU for fear of offending the governor.
Ogbeni Alade has reportedly engineered the exclusion of perceived rivals from public events to assert his dominance. This year’s IEDPU meeting marked the fourth consecutive instance of such influence since he assumed office in 2019.
Senator Saliu Mustapha’s case epitomizes the governor’s high-handedness. Reports indicate that Mustapha reached out to the governor to communicate his intention to attend the event and unveil a major project. His calls, however, went unanswered, leading to what Nigerians might describe as a “jammed network.”
Unwavering, Mustapha sent a representative to announce a planned N500 million pavilion project at the palace forecourt to host future IEDPU events. While the announcement was met with overwhelming applause, the representative was denied the opportunity to present the pavilion’s architectural design. Shortly after, billboards celebrating Mustapha’s generosity were torn down across the city—not by natural forces, but by deliberate human action.
Political whispers suggest that Ogbeni Alade is positioning himself for a 2027 senatorial bid. With both he and Mustapha hailing from the same senatorial district, a rivalry seems inevitable. To secure his ambitions, the governor appears determined to silence Mustapha—even if it involves weaponizing cultural events and traditional institutions.
The governor’s politicization of traditional institutions is not a recent development. His disregard for cultural protocols has been consistent. In 2022, he unilaterally altered the dates of the Ilorin Durbar, a function traditionally scheduled by the Emir’s palace, allegedly without consulting traditional authorities.
In another shocking episode, representatives of the Kwara State Traditional Council were abruptly recalled from Lagos during the burial of Mrs. Florence Saraki, wife of the late political icon Senator Olusola Saraki. Their recall was prompted by a sudden and unexplained “meeting” at the Government House.
More recently, traditional rulers were reportedly summoned with an N100 million mobilization fee to endorse a politically motivated “Kwara South support for Kwara North” agenda. This move, widely seen as a political gimmick, was rejected by prominent sons of the zone, exposing the administration’s meddling in traditional affairs.
The governor’s actions risk leaving behind a legacy of division and discord. His so-called “Renewal” projects, including the ill-conceived erection of high walls around business premises, have displaced families and disrupted economic activities. These walls, while aesthetically pleasing, pose serious safety and security risks by isolating businesses from public view and obstructing emergency responses.
The Tanke Bridge, touted as a flagship project, remains unusable two years after its completion. This glaring inefficiency stands as a monument to the administration’s lack of foresight and technical competence.
Ogbeni Alade must recognize that his tenure is finite. History will not judge him by the political rivals he silenced, the billboards he tore down, or the traditional institutions he undermined. Rather, he will be remembered for the development he brought—or failed to bring—to Kwara State and the respect he accorded its traditions.
The Emirate and its rich cultural heritage should never be reduced to pawns in a political chess game. Kwarans deserve leadership that prioritizes unity, respect, and collective progress over personal ambition.
As the 2027 elections approach, the people of Kwara must transcend partisan divisions to demand accountability and good governance. Preserving our cherished traditions and ensuring effective governance requires collective effort and a unified resolve. No single party or individual can achieve this alone; it will take the concerted will of all Kwarans working together for the common good. Community associations must rise to the occasion, standing firm to protect and defend our revered traditional institutions for the sake of posterity.
The time of reckoning is near, and posterity will undoubtedly pass judgment on the governor’s actions and legacy. It is up to the people to ensure that tradition, governance, and progress remain sacrosanct.
