The Sarkin Gobir and Madawaki of Ilorin Emirate, Yakubu Gobir, has appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Sen Saliu Mustapha, to put their political differences aside and protect the Ilorin community and Kwara as a whole.

Gobir, who described the duo as brothers and friends, advised that their personal relationship should not be overshadowed by political disagreements.

He said he had known AbdulRazaq for about 40 years and Mustapha nearly 10 years, adding that he had personally witnessed the mutual respect that existed between them over the years.

“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,” he said.

The traditional title holder also urged their supporters to stop personal attacks, provocative statements and campaigns of calumny.

He warned that political disagreements could create divisions that would remain long after political contests had ended.

According to him: “political competition is part of democracy, but it should not be allowed to degenerate into personal hostility.

“Before politics, there is brotherhood. Before political parties, there is Ilorin. That bond must remain stronger than whatever political differences may exist between us,” Gobir said.

He urged their supporters to defend their preferred candidates without insulting or attacking opposing side.

“Loyalty does not mean hatred. You can defend your leader without insulting another man’s leader. You can disagree without destroying relationships,” he added.

Gobir expressed concern that inflammatory remarks could deepen divisions within the community, stressing that the people of Ilorin remain connected through family, marriage, history, culture and shared ancestry.

“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,” he said.

He further reminded traditional titleholders of their responsibility to protect the dignity and unity of the Ilorin Emirate, saying political offices and alliances were temporary while the emirate’s heritage would endure beyond individual political seasons.

“Governments will change. Political alliances will change. Elections will come and go. But Ilorin will remain,” Gobir said.

He therefore urged the duo to keep the channels of dialogue and mutual respect open, regardless of 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 called on political actors to shift their attention from personal disputes to 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.

He concluded by urging all political and traditional stakeholders to preserve the peace and unity of the emirate for future generations.

“Let us disagree politically without becoming enemies. Let us compete without destroying one another. And above all, let us preserve the peace, unity and dignity of Ilorin for our children and generations yet unborn.”
Mansur Aramide, Ilorin

The Sarkin Gobir and Madawaki of Ilorin Emirate, Yakubu Gobir, has appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Sen Saliu Mustapha, to put their political differences aside and protect the Ilorin community and Kwara as a whole.

Gobir, who described the duo as brothers and friends, advised that their personal relationship should not be overshadowed by political disagreements.

He said he had known AbdulRazaq for about 40 years and Mustapha nearly 10 years, adding that he had personally witnessed the mutual respect that existed between them over the years.

“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,” he said.

The traditional title holder also urged their supporters to stop personal attacks, provocative statements and campaigns of calumny.

He warned that political disagreements could create divisions that would remain long after political contests had ended.

According to him: “political competition is part of democracy, but it should not be allowed to degenerate into personal hostility.

“Before politics, there is brotherhood. Before political parties, there is Ilorin. That bond must remain stronger than whatever political differences may exist between us,” Gobir said.

He urged their supporters to defend their preferred candidates without insulting or attacking opposing side.

“Loyalty does not mean hatred. You can defend your leader without insulting another man’s leader. You can disagree without destroying relationships,” he added.

Gobir expressed concern that inflammatory remarks could deepen divisions within the community, stressing that the people of Ilorin remain connected through family, marriage, history, culture and shared ancestry.

“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,” he said.

He further reminded traditional titleholders of their responsibility to protect the dignity and unity of the Ilorin Emirate, saying political offices and alliances were temporary while the emirate’s heritage would endure beyond individual political seasons.

“Governments will change. Political alliances will change. Elections will come and go. But Ilorin will remain,” Gobir said.

He therefore urged the duo to keep the channels of dialogue and mutual respect open, regardless of 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 called on political actors to shift their attention from personal disputes to 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.

He concluded by urging all political and traditional stakeholders to preserve the peace and unity of the emirate for future generations.

“Let us disagree politically without becoming enemies. Let us compete without destroying one another. And above all, let us preserve the peace, unity and dignity of Ilorin for our children and generations yet unborn.”