The Agbaji Development Association, the ancestral home of former Senate President Bukola Saraki in Ilorin, Kwara State, has cautioned Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over what it described as attempts to malign and embarrass the Saraki family regarding the ongoing Offa robbery case.
The development association gave the warning at a press conference held at Agbaji Mosque in Ilorin on Wednesday.
It described the situation as “provocative and dangerous,” warning that any further escalation could be met with resistance.
It also vowed to resist what it called continued attempts to use state influence and media platforms to damage the reputation of the Saraki family.
The controversy comes amid ongoing legal proceedings in which the Kwara State Government has filed charges against former Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki over their alleged involvement in the Offa robbery incident.
The case is scheduled for hearing on June 24 at the Kwara State High Court.
Speaking at the briefing, National Secretary of the association, Mohammed Ghali Jamiu, alleged that recent developments around the case had taken on a political dimension.
“What is unfolding before the public is no longer about justice. It is a calculated political campaign driven by propaganda and deliberate attempts to tarnish the image of Dr. Bukola Saraki and his family,” he said.
He warned that the continued use of media narratives and political influence to target the Saraki family was unacceptable.
“This pattern of propaganda must stop. Ilorin Emirate is not a theatre for political vendetta,” he added.
The association insisted that the Saraki family has played a significant role in the development of Kwara State and cautioned against what it described as attempts to distort history through public misinformation.
It further warned that residents of the Emirate were closely monitoring developments and would not tolerate what it called coordinated smear campaigns.
“Any further attempt to escalate this will be met with strong public resistance,” the group said.
The association urged those involved in the political dispute to desist from actions capable of undermining peace in Ilorin Emirate.
It further called on the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, to intervene and restore calm among stakeholders.
It also appealed to the media to avoid being used for politically motivated attacks.
The association also called on religious leaders to intensify prayers for peace in the Emirate.
