Saraki turns up at Ilorin prayer ground for Sallah festivities wearing bullet-proof vest

SENATE president Senator Bukola Saraki arrived at the Ilorin prayer ground to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations yesterday wearing a bullet-proof vest in a clear indication that the Nigerian political temperature is rising.

Over the last month, Senator Saraki have been at the centre of a political storm following a series of defections in the National Assembly with about 15 senators and 37 members of the House of Representatives leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Amidst all the turmoil, Senator Saraki declared that he too has left the APC and joined the PDP, prompting the APC to call for his immediate resignation as senate president.

However, Senator Saraki has dismissed the calls, saying he was elected by a majority of senators and the only way he can be removed from office is if two thirds of senators vote to impeach him. Amid this heightening of tension, Senator Saraki attended the annual prayers in the Kwara State capital yesterday in a bullet proof vest.

He was accompanied by a former acting national chairman of the PDP Abubakar Baraje, the speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Ali Ahmad and former sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi, among others.  During the prayers, the chief imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, admonished Muslims to be pious and observe the teachings of the holy Qur’an in their undertakings.

Alhaji Abdulhamid also reminded adherents of the significance of the Islamic festivities, which include the fulfilment of promises, piety, sacrifice, devotion and the submission to the dos and don’ts of Islam. Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the emir of Ilorin cautioned Muslims against conducts that could negatively affect their good deeds in the sight of Allah, urging local residents to be peaceful and be their neighbours’ keepers.

In far away Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari observed the festivities at his local prayer ground and making a statement about his fitness to run for office, he went on a walkabout after the prayers. Aware of how his health has become a factor in the run-up to next year's elections, President Buhari walked the 800 metres from the prayer ground to his house in Daura, sending out a message to political rivals like Senator Saraki.

Next February, Nigeria goes to the polls to elect a new president, with the candidates likely to include Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senator Saraki, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso,  Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Governor Ibrahim Dankwabo and Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau. They have all made President Buhari's age and recent ill-health an issue in the campaign, saying that at 75, he should retire to Daura.