AbdulRazaq, Saraki Exchange Warm Handshake at Ilorin Praying Ground

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin 

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and former President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday set aside their political differences and shook hands for the first time since the 2019 general election.

The event took place at the Ilorin prayer ground as part of the activities to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, which was marked in a peaceful atmosphere, unlike the previous events.

The public exchange of handshake came three years after AbdulRazaq took over the reign of governance from Saraki’s successor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.

It was observed that AbdulRazaq, shortly after his official vehicle touched the sacred ground around 9:33 a.m., headed for the space provided for him at the section designated for Very Important Personalities (VIPs).

The governor arrived in his Toyota Hilux vehicle at the prayer ground with his eldest brother and Mutawalli of Ilorin, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq.

Saraki had earlier arrived at Eid Prayer Ground in the company of his aides, associates and loyalists.

It was observed that the governor left his seat with his eldest brother and to the surprise of the worshippers, headed to where Saraki sat and exchanged a handshake with him.

The gesture was greeted with ‘huzzahs’ from loyalists of the two leaders.

AbdulRazaq is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, while Saraki, who contested the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just-concluded primaries, is the leader of the opposition party in the state.

Political loyalists from both camps were also seen exchanging banter at the prayer ground.

However, in a brief interview with journalists in Ilorin shortly before leaving for the palace to pay homage to the Emir, the governor said he was glad about the peaceful Eid.

“We thank God that we had a peaceful Eid. My message to Nigeria is about peace. As long as we have peace, our country will prosper and progress. We should all work for peace always. That is my Eid message,” he said.

The Eid prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu, who thereafter slaughtered ram, which symbolised the height of the Eid rites. 

Also, at the Eid was the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, accompanied by a retinue of royal chiefs and kakaki-blaring traditional guards