Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, today, went through another embarrassing moment in his home town, Ilorin, when angry worshipers attacked him, shouting óle’(meaning Thief), throwing stones at him and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and many political figures at the Eid Praying Ground in Ilorin.
Report had it that as Saraki and others arrived at the praying ground, intermittent shouts of “Ole! Ole!! Ole!!!(Thief, thief, thief) rented the air, while others shouted “Ebi n pa wa!” “Ebi yii tito Saraki!””A o ki run, e fun wa lounje” (We are hungry, enough of hunger Saraki, give us food, teach us how to fish).”
It was gathered that the protesters were angered by the non-utilization of the bailout funds given to the state by the Federal Government to offset workers’ salaries as they alleged that the bailout funds were used to offset the bill incurred on crowning Saraki as Senate President.
Before 10am for which the prayer was scheduled, tension had already began to build up at the Eid Praying Ground as most worshippers appeared set for showdown because initial sermon segment of the Sallah celebration fell on deaf ears.
It was gathered that as soon as Senator Saraki stepped into the praying ground, stones and missiles had started flying in the direction of the dignitaries.
The police, security agents, and members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, were said to have battled spiritedly to quell the protest to no avail and had to resort to sporadic firing of teargas canisters.
Temporary calm was said to have been restored after about 30-minutes of the impasse, which gave temporary respite for the Muslims to observe the normal two Nafilats (prayers) but that as the dignitaries were filing out , the protesters resumed hurling missiles. [myad]
