Many Indigenes of Kwara State were shocked and their shock turned to anger over the absence of Kwara Governor, Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq from the famous Grand Durbar usually held at the Palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
Sources revealed that following the furore over the invitation cards for the ancient town’s second Grand Durbar organised by the Ilorin Emirate Council, it was expected that the Governor and his wife will be present as his predecessors have done over the years but they waited for him in vain.
Our sources revealed that while Governor was away on holiday in Paris, France, his wife was in London where she was attending the African Fashion Week London.
Unlike the 2018 event where there was so much fanfare, the Durbar was a shadow of itself with very low turnout and bereft
of its usual pomp and pageantry. As shown in the video above captured by Daily Trust.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi who delivered an address commended the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the Ilorin Emirate Council for the historical cultural event.
The 2018 Durbar
The Emir on his part thanked all the guests for their attendance and gave a chieftaincy title of Danmazani of Ilorin to the Durbar Committee Chairman, Engr Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa, FNSE.
Those spoken to expressed their unhappiness at the absence of the Governor at such an auspicious occasion especially because people arrive from all around the state to be part of the festivity.
The Grand Durbar was attended by such personalities as Senator Ibrahim Yahya Oloriegbe; Chief of Staff Alh Adisa Logun; Olusin of Isanl-Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede; Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Moshood Mustapha; Lukman Mustapha; Mallam Olaolu Ali (SAN); former Vice Chancellors of University of Ilorin, Professors Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem and Abduganiyu Ambali; and Mallam Soliu Mustapha.
