Political associates and friends of the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki yesterday converged on his Ilofa country home, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara state capital for special prayers to mark his 61st birthday.

As early as 7.00 am, the associates were trooping in for the occasion.

Although, the celebrant was not around as was said to be attending to some national issues but the event was attended by the associates in his honour.

Among associates at the event include, the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Babatunde Mohammed, state Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Abdulrahman Kayode, the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Prof. Ali Ahmad, former Secretaries to the State Government(SSG) Alhaji Sola Gold and Alhaji Saka Onimago, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Abimbola Isau (SAN) and former PDP chairman in the state, Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani.

Others are: former member of the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Ebun Owolabi; former Ambassador to Japan, Prof. Yisa Gana; Hon. Isa Bawa, 2023 Kwara North Senatorial Candidate; former Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ladi Hassan; former Chairperson of the state Local Government Service Commission(LGSC), Hajia Sarat Ibrahim Adebayo; Woman PDP Leader, Hajia Segilola Abdulakadir, former council chairmen, former members of the state House of Assembly, former commissioners and political office holders in the state.

The Islamic clerics at the special prayers include: Sheikh Sulaiman Danboronu, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Ajinikirun and Alhaji Abdulrazaq Aduagba.

The scholars talked about the principles of loyalty, leadership, and followership.

In their separate lectures, they admonished both leaders and followers to live in oneness, sincerity, and be committed to impacting lives and developing the people.

They eulogied Saraki for always being there for the people, his followers while in and out of office.

While describing his impacts on the people and the community as unmatched to date in Kwara, the clerics commended the people for their unwavering love and steadfastness for the Saraki family to date despite being out of government for years.

The birthday prayer was well attended by all the Baloguns and other chiefs of the Ilorin Emirate Council, countless numbers of Islamic scholars, political associates, followers, and well-wishers.

Also in his comment, Professor of Constitutional Law and ex-Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Ali Ahmad congratulated the former senate president, Dr. Saraki on the occasion of his 61st birthday anniversary, calling him a patriot, and Kwara's foremost political scion and elder statesman.

The former lawmaker joined family, friends, associates, and well-wishers of Senator Saraki in celebrating the life of a distinguished Nigerian who has made his mark on the political scene both at the national and his home –Kwara state.

“My family and I join numerous well-wishers in celebrating the outstanding achievements, dedication, commitments, and resilience of our dear patriot, Kwara's foremost political scion and elder statesman, distinguished Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki on the occasion of his 61st birthday,” he said.

Ali however prayed to God Almighty to continue to grant Saraki more years of good health, wisdom, and fulfilment in the service of God, humanity, and country.