Eid-el-Kabir: AbdulRazaq, Saraki, others pray in Kwara

Thousands of Muslim faithful on Wednesday converged on the ancient Central Eid Prayer Ground in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers, with prominent political figures including Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Senator Saliu Mustapha in attendance.

The prayer session, which commenced at exactly 9:40 a.m., was led by Imam Imole, Abdullahi Abdulhamid and was followed by the symbolic slaughtering of the ram; a sacred traditional rite historically performed first by the lead imam.

The 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration also marked the first major Eid gathering in Ilorin following the death of the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Bashir Saliu, who died on January 19, 2026, at the age of 75 after a brief illness in Abuja.

The late cleric had served the Ilorin Emirate for more than four decades.

The venue and its surroundings witnessed a heavy security presence, including men of the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, as well as operatives of the emergency responders such as the Federal Road Safety Corps.

In his Eid message, AbdulRazaq congratulated Muslims in Kwara state and across Nigeria on the occasion of Eid-el-Adha 1447 AH, urging the faithful to embrace sacrifice, patience, and peaceful coexistence.

He said, “I congratulate the Muslim community in Kwara State and across Nigeria on the blessed occasion of Eid-el-Adha 1447 AH. We thank Allaah for giving us the grace and opportunity to witness yet another celebration.”

AbdulRazaq also paid tribute to the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, praying for continued peace and unity within the Muslim community.

“I send my warmest felicitations to the leader of the Muslim Ummah in our state, His Royal Highness the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR. May the Almighty Allah continue to uphold the Ummah on the path of goodness,” he stated.

The governor further described Eid as a season of reflection, charity, and renewed commitment to humanity.

“Eid is a period of deep reflection and thanksgiving. The true lessons in the events that led to the festivity should not be lost on the faithful.

“I urge everyone to imbibe the virtues of patience, sacrifice, steadfastness, belief, and submission to God. This is a period of sharing; let us look out for one another.

“We extend love and greetings to the pilgrims in the holy land, especially the Kwara State contingent. I pray Allaah to accept their worship, grant their requests, and reward them with Al-jannah Firdaus. I wish every one of them a safe journey back home,” AbdulRazaq said.

The governor urged residents to celebrate modestly and peacefully while encouraging visitors to explore recreational facilities developed across the state.

He added, “I welcome our people back home in Kwara for the Sallah festivities. I urge restraint and modest celebrations, and invite you all to visit the two wings of the Flower Garden Ilorin, the reclaimed Amusement Park, and other recreational areas put in place by our administration and private investors for a pleasant and memorable time.

“By this time next year, the Patigi Regatta will be fully open for public use, alongside the Convention Centre and other landmark projects.”

AbdulRazaq further called for prayers for Nigeria and Kwara State amid ongoing security and economic challenges.

“As we mark this moment of great spiritual significance, let us remember our country and the state in prayers for peace, security, and progress. Let us prioritise relationships and peace as we gather at the Eid grounds. Eid Mubarak to everyone,” the governor said.

Speaking with The PUNCH shortly after the prayers, Saraki urged Nigerians to uphold unity, compassion, and hope.

Saraki said, “As we celebrate, we must always remember humanity, where we should all stand together, support one another, help the less privileged, and be ready to make sacrifices.

“We should also believe and have hope for better days, treat everyone right, and stay united. Insha Allah, those better days will come. This is a period where we need to make sacrifices and when they are made, good things will happen to us in Kwara State and Nigeria. I wish everybody a happy Eid-el-Kabir.”

Also speaking, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Kwara State, Kale Kawu, felicitated Muslims on the celebration and prayed for divine guidance.

“I extend felicitations to all Muslims in Kwara State on this beautiful occasion of Eid-el-Adha. May Almighty Allah accept our prayers and guide us to the right path,” Kawu stated.

In his remarks, Ambassador-designate to Malaysia, Ahmed Sulu-Gambari, urged residents to celebrate peacefully and remember the less privileged.

“A lesson behind the sacred occasion is to celebrate in peace and remember those who are less privileged so they can also share in the good spirit of Sallah,” he said.

Meanwhile, a moment of surprise and excitement swept through the prayer ground as Governor AbdulRazaq and Senator Mustapha made a grand entrance together despite widely speculated political differences linked to the 2027 governorship succession battle in the state.

Their joint appearance drew attention from political observers and supporters, especially amid reports of growing tension within the ruling All Progressives Congress over succession calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.

The political atmosphere in Kwara has remained charged in recent months, largely driven by the rivalry between AbdulRazaq’s camp, the increasing political influence of Senator Mustapha and the resurgence of the Peoples Democratic Party under Saraki’s leadership.

While AbdulRazaq and Mustapha were both central figures in the 2019 political movement that ended Saraki’s long-standing dominance in the state, their relationship has reportedly become strained over the contest for control of the APC structure and the battle over who succeeds the governor in 2027.

Saraki, on the other hand, has intensified efforts to reposition the PDP in Kwara State, with the opposition party already zoning its anticipated 2027 governorship ticket to Kwara Central in what analysts describe as a direct challenge to the APC’s succession permutations.

Observers believe the Eid gathering provided a rare public moment where leading political actors across party lines appeared united despite the underlying political realignments shaping the future of Kwara politics.