The Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council at the weekend advised the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration against politics of persecution.
The Monarchs, while reacting to the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, over alleged false declaration of assets by the Federal Government, said it was obvious that the Senate President was being persecuted.
They pledged to continue to support and pray for the Senate President and leader of Kwara politics 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 constitutionnal 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 know there are several stages of challenges before our leader (Saraki) in Kwara State, such that nobody in Nigeria can ever be clean enough. But do we want to upset the whole Nigeria community because we want beautiful change? Time and posterity will tell.
“But we want to appeal to men of goodwill that politics should not be with bitterness. Politics should be about the unity of this country.
“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.
“We therefore came here to declare our unsolicited support, solidarity to our precious son. If you (Saraki) look back, you will see us in various forms, begging Almighty Allah to protect you. Nigeria should beware of destructive elements. Nobody is perfect. We are in this scheme to make Nigeria very strong in the comity of nations.
“We have capable Nigerians, who can turn Nigeria around for good. Let us therefore face the issue before us instead of belabouring those things that will divide us permanently,” he stated.
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.
“We should learn from our lessons of the past. We should learn very seriously, we should aim for the best. The greatest happiness of the greatest number of Nigerians is the most important thing, not the one that will create havoc and disunity.
“May God help you (Saraki) in your present challenges. You will survive by the grace of God. The whole of Kwara is behind you. Even in the PDP, they are behind you. This is not a question of politics or political parties. I mean it is politics, but not political parties.
“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.
“Therefore, you are a test case for the whole country, and if I say test case, I believe men of understanding will understand what I mean. We should not fail, and you will not fail. We will continue to pray for you”, 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.
He however thanked the royal fathers for identifying with him over his current travails, saying he will overcome.
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.
“There is nothing more for me to add because you have spoken. You have spoken from your years of experience as a father, and as someone who has headed a very great arm of government – the judiciary.
“Your words of wisdom and encouragement will continue to give me great confidence. As you rightly said, it is a challenging time, not only for us the politicians, but generally the country.
“Be rest assured that with your support and your prayers, Insha Allah (God willing), we will overcome it. Because the entire people in this country know that this is not about prosecution, but persecution,” he stated.
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.
