Joseph Bakare
Disorderly behavior of supporters of the All Progressive Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had impeded a conference at the Emir of Ilorin Palace forecourt in Kwara state, hosted by Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, IEDPU,
The disorderliness began when supporters of Senate President Saraki shouted down the APC governorship candidate in the state as the governorship candidate’s supporters tried to counter the opposing side, thus leading to chaotic situation.
Trouble reportedly started during the inauguration of the 2019 calendar of the union by the chairman of the Ifelodun local council development authority in Lagos state, Alhaji Fatai Ajidagba, who donated N5 million. When it was the turn of the APC governorship candidate in the state, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, to launch the calendar, he was prevented from speaking by supporters of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, chanting “Sai leader, Sai Bukki, Atunwa,”.
Meanwhile his supporters were shouting his slogan “O to ge”(enough is enough) to counter the opposing side.
However, Abdulrazak was called to the podium to announce his donation against the will of some of the organisers of the event. All efforts by the organisers to restore normalcy and continue the programme failed.
Embittered Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, hurriedly left the venue in disappointment, but the national executive council members of the IEDPU led by their president, Usman Abdulazeez, later went into the palace to apologise to the Emir.
The IEDPU’s calendar, a major source of revenue generation for the union, could not be inaugurated because of the development.
Lamenting over the turnout of events, the national publicity secretary of IEDPU, Alhaji Abdulrahman Malik, said: “The union is apolitical, we are to promote peace in Ilorin Emirate. We didn’t envisage what happened.” However, media aide to Saraki, Alhaji Abdullai Olesin, said Saraki was not the cause of the disruption because he was not present at the convention. He added that for people to act that way when he was not there indicated how popular he is among his people.
On its part, the media office of the APC governorship candidate in a statement absolved supporters of the party of blame.