The Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Monday, said he was saddened by the unfortunate death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih.

According to him, the Chief Imam died on Monday morning in Abuja, “as Allaah has unquestionably decreed for his servants. He was 75 years old.”

In a statement he personally signed, AbdulRazaq stated that Sheikh Muhammad Bashir represented the finest breed of Muslim scholarship in the history of Ilorin.

He said: “his passing — shocking, depressing, and saddening as it again reminds us that even great men die.”

He noted that the deceased would be missed for his uniquely outstanding scholarship, his patience and good nature, and his fine qualities as the leading Imam in our state.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the Mai Martaba Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, OFR, the entire Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State Council of Ulamah, and the immediate family of the Chief Imam.

“I ask Allaah to accept Imam Muhammad Bashir as his dutiful servant, forgive his imperfections, ease his accounts, elevate his rank in Al-jannah Firdaus, and uphold his family and the community upon goodness. Aamin,” he added.

In other news, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has passed a vote of no confidence on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, citing “all-round failure across critical sectors of governance.

”The resolution was reached at the maiden 2026 meeting of the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) and documented in a communique signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara.

The PDP condemned the continued closure of schools in Kwara South and Kwara North since December, describing it as counterproductive and dangerous to the future of children.“Shutting schools in response to insecurity reflects leadership failure rather than a solution,” the party said, urging the government to immediately reopen schools and strengthen security around educational institutions instead.PDP insisted that children’s education must not be mortgaged due to “the government’s inability to protect lives and property.

”The party also criticised Governor Abdulrazaq’s “frequent absence from the state,” accusing him of spending prolonged periods in the Federal Capital Territory while critical issues of insecurity and governance worsen at home.

“The governor’s continued absence has created a leadership vacuum and rendered the government largely unresponsive to the plight of Kwarans,” the SWC said.

PDP further condemned the violent assault on elderly women who peacefully protested for the release of their kidnapped relatives.