Ilorin High Chief Urges Kwara Governor, Senator, to Settle Differences

The Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin, Alh Yakubu Gobir, has enjoined the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the senator representing Kwara central in the National Assembly, Saliu Mustapha, to rise above their political differences.

Gobir urged the two leaders to preserve the bonds of brotherhood, mutual respect and shared heritage that unite the people of Ilorin.

He also appealed to supporters and loyalists of both leaders to refrain from personal attacks, provocative statements, and campaigns of calumny, warning that political disagreements should not be allowed to create divisions that could outlast the political contests that produced them.

He said his appeal was made with particular sincerity because of his longstanding personal relationships with both men.

“I have known the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for almost 40 years, and I have 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.

Gobir added that over the years, he had personally witnessed the mutual respect and regard between the two men, making the current political differences particularly regrettable.

“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 stated.

Gobir stressed that Governor AbdulRazaq and Senator Mustapha are first and foremost sons of Ilorin, irrespective of their political affiliations or present disagreements, saying that, “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 political competition was a legitimate and necessary part of democratic life. Still, he urged both men to demonstrate the maturity expected of leaders by ensuring that political disagreements do not degenerate into personal hostility.

According to him, the people of Ilorin are connected through blood, marriage, history, culture and shared ancestry, making the preservation of these bonds 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,” he said.