Date: 2017-02-09

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari may blacklist district heads and traditional chiefs not turbaned by the palace, National Pilot can report.

The move, it was learnt, was part of the 'drastic and urgent' measures to curb the reportedly rising agitation in some local governments in the emirate for appointment of indigenous chiefs and district heads.

Moro, Ilorin East and Asa were some of the local governments from the five that constituted the emirate that had witnessed glimpses of the agitation. The issue had also caused disquiet among some political leaders in the affected councils leading to attack and counter attack between aggrieved parties in the media.

Towards this end, the Emir has directed the Magajis, Alanguas and Dawudus in the respective local government to commence the process of compilation of names of authentic district heads only turbaned in his palace.

At a meeting with the Emir in his palace on Tuesday after a solidarity visit, the traditional chiefs stressed that the agitation was as a result of the appointment of some district heads by 'politicians' and council executives and called for a halt to the trend to prevent further spread of the issue.

The Emir who praised the Magajis, Alanguas and Daudus for their unwavering loyalty and support to the emirate added that henceforth, any district head not turbaned by the palace can only be regarded as 'ghost' traditional ruler. According to the Emir, the Magajis, Alanguas and Daudus have stood solidly behind the palace when attempt where made in the past to rubbish the revered traditional institution.

He commended the Magaji Nda of Ilorin for his bold effort to set straight in the midst of attempt to distort the tradition and history of the emirate.

"We have to take a drastic look on how to stop this trend and we may adopt the position that any district head that is not turbaned by the palace will no longer be recognised. When attempt were made to distort our rich history and tradition in the past, it was you the Magajis, Alanguas and Daudus that stood solidly behind the palace," the Emir added.

He thanked the forum for the solidarity visit and enjoined them to continue to promote peace and harmony in the state noting that the people of the five local governments that constituted the emirate are of the same family.

He advised the people and entire citizens of the state to be very vigilant particularly at this time and report any suspicious movement or character to the appropriate authorities.

In his remarks, spokesman for the emirate and the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Soliu Woru Muhammed, said politicians must know the limits in terms of tradition and religion, adding that the consequence of such action will be very grave.

Responding on behalf of the forum, its chairman, Alhaji AbdulWahab Sani, said the forum is not involved in the plot by some politicians operating in the garb of traditional chiefs calling for the sharing of the 5 per cent allocation to the Emir.

He advised the politicians involved to differentiate between politics and culture and further urged them to desist from dragging the revered institution into politics for their selfish gain.

The 300 strong members of the forum during the visit praised Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for providing development across the nooks and crannies of the state especially for the commencement of the multi billion naira Garin Alimi split diamond interchange (Underpass).

They urged the Governor to deal decisively with any person or groups planning to destabilise the peace and harmony being experienced among the citizens of the state.