By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin
The Sarkin Gobir and Madawaki of Ilorin Emirate, Yakubu Gobir, has appealed to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Senator Saliu Mustapha to resolve their political differences and preserve the bonds of brotherhood and unity among the people of Ilorin.
The appeal followed the recent defection of Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amid reported political differences with the governor.
Gobir, in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, also urged supporters of both political leaders to refrain from personal attacks, provocative statements and campaigns of calumny.
He said political disagreements should not be allowed to create divisions that could outlast the political contests that produced them.
Gobir said his appeal was made with particular sincerity because of his longstanding relationships with both AbdulRazaq and Mustapha.
“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.
He added that he had personally witnessed the mutual respect that existed between the two men over the years, describing their current political differences as 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,” Gobir said.
According to him, AbdulRazaq and Mustapha remain sons of Ilorin regardless of their political affiliations or differences.
“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.
Gobir acknowledged that political competition was a legitimate part of democratic life but urged the two leaders to demonstrate maturity by ensuring that their differences did not degenerate into personal hostility.
“Politics is a contest. We may disagree today and agree tomorrow, but bitterness should never be allowed to take the place of brotherhood,” he said.
He particularly appealed to supporters of the two camps to exercise restraint in their public engagements, stressing that political loyalty should not translate into hostility towards opposing supporters.
“Loyalty does not mean hatred. You can defend your leader without insulting another man’s leader. You can disagree without destroying relationships,” Gobir said.
He expressed concern that personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric could create wounds that would remain long after political contests had ended.
“We must be careful with the words we use. A political statement made today may create a wound that takes years to heal. We should not sacrifice the peace and unity of Ilorin for temporary political battles,” he said.
Gobir noted that the people of Ilorin were connected through blood, marriage, history, culture and shared ancestry, making the preservation of those 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.
He also urged AbdulRazaq and Mustapha to recognise that their responsibilities extended beyond politics to the preservation of the dignity and unity of the Ilorin Emirate.
According to him, traditional titles come with responsibilities that transcend political seasons.
“Our traditional titles are not merely for decoration. They come with responsibility. We have inherited a respected institution and a rich heritage from our forefathers, and it is our duty to protect its dignity and pass it on to the next generation,” he said.
Gobir stressed that political offices, parties and alliances were temporary, while the traditional heritage of Ilorin remained enduring.
“Governments will change. Political alliances will change. Elections will come and go. But Ilorin will remain. The traditional institutions and heritage we inherited from our forefathers must therefore remain above political disagreements,” he said.
He urged traditional titleholders to promote peace, reconciliation and unity whenever disagreements arose among prominent members of the community.
“Our responsibility as traditional titleholders is to bring our people together, especially when there are disagreements. We must always look for what unites us rather than what divides us,” he said.
Gobir further called on the two politicians to keep open channels of dialogue and mutual respect despite 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.
He also urged political actors and their supporters to focus their energy on 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,” Gobir said.
He stressed that present political contests should not be allowed to define relationships and heritage that would endure for generations.
“Our children will inherit the relationships we preserve and the institutions we protect. We must therefore ask ourselves what kind of Ilorin we want to leave behind for them,” he said.
Gobir concluded by appealing to political and traditional stakeholders to embrace restraint, reconciliation and mutual respect.
“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,” he said.
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