Don’t persecute Saraki, Kwara monarchs warn FG

Disturbed by the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged false declaration of assets, the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council at the weekend cautioned the present administration against politics of persecution.

The monarchs said it was obvious that the Senate President was being persecuted, and pledged to continue to support and pray for him to overcome his present challenges.

They also reminded the present administration that Nigerians who voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election, voted for change and not for political harassment of perceived opponents.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, spoke when he led top Kwara traditional chiefs on a solidarity visit to Saraki’s residence in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

Sulu-Gambari urged Nigerians to be wary of bad elements bent on dividing the country on account of political vendetta.

The Chairman, Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, stated that since nobody can claim perfection, the resort to hurling political enemies before the courts over spurious charges is harmful.

Sulu-Gambari said: “We are here for good reasons and to bring the goodwill of the Council of Chiefs, representing all the chiefs and traditional rulers of Kwara State. We came here to join our son (Bukola Saraki) with whom we are much pleased.

“We are ready to support him. We are here to see him on the various constitutional challenges, we would not call them problems, may God not make them problems for us.

“It doesn’t take long for a 10-year old child to realize that our dear son, our precious son is being persecuted. The politics of persecution is not the right change for Nigeria.

“We want changes; we want it to be clean. He who seeks equity must come with clean hands. If you want equity, you yourself must do equity. There is a situation where you must come with clean hands, there is situation where you must do equity to ask for equity.

“We want to appeal to men of goodwill that politics should not be with bitterness. Politics should be about the unity of this country.

Read also: Plot to remove Saraki as Senate president thickens

“We have come so far, we have tried many forms of political structures. The one before us now, which God has given the APC, the APC has been given strait-jacket power of this country. We want to appeal for their understanding to keep what God has given them jealously from those who are ready to dismantle them.

The Emir added: “God has given this administration leverage. God has given them all the powers. If there is no enemy from outside, let there be no enemy from within. Enough is enough for those who are wise.

“This is where Kwara State has been given a chance to be part of the government of this country. We intend to retain it, we don’t want anything to preclude us”, the Emir of Ilorin said.

Responding, the Senate President informed the Monarchs that he was being persecuted rather than prosecuted over alleged false assets declaration.

Saraki said: “I am greatly honoured and at the same time humbled to receive this visit from our royal fathers in my domain. The last time I had this honour was when I was still the governor of Kwara State.

Other royal fathers on the delegation included the Emir of Gwanara, Alh Abdullahi Idris, Alofa of Iloffa, Oba Samuel Dada, Olusin of Isanlu Isin, Solomon Ilufemiloye, Olomu of Omu-Aran,Oba Charles Ibitoye, Olofa of Offa, Oba Muhammad Muftah Esu Woye II, Emir of Kaima, Alhaji Sheu Muazu Umar, Etsu Tsaragi, Alh. Abdullahi Ndakoto and the Olosi of Osi, Oba Salihu Adasofegbe

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