Thousands of youths from the four local government areas of the Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State on Thursday staged a protest, demanding an immediate halt to what they described as politically motivated narratives linking former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to the Offa bank robbery.
The youths, who marched through major streets of Ilorin before converging on the Emir’s palace, warned that attempts to reopen the matter could undermine the peace and unity of the Emirate.
Addressing the gathering, the group’s spokesperson, Abdulkadir Issa, said the protest was driven by concerns about what he termed a growing trend of political propaganda in the state.
“If the politically motivated narratives on the Offa bank robbery incident are not withdrawn, it may affect the current peace and unity in the Ilorin Emirate,” he said.
Issa stressed that the youths were not mobilised for unrest but to defend what they described as truth and justice.
“Today, we stand together not as troublemakers, not as agents of division, but as conscious and responsible youths who believe in the dignity of our people,” he said.
According to him, the renewed references to the Offa robbery case were not aimed at justice but at tarnishing the image of Saraki, who holds the traditional title of Waziri of Ilorin.
“A tragedy that brought pain and tears to families in Offa is now being dragged back into public discourse not for justice, not for closure, but for political propaganda aimed at blackmailing one man,” he added.
The youths argued that the case had already been investigated and concluded through legal processes, including advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, which, they claimed, found no evidence linking Saraki to the crime.
“Suspects were charged, trials were conducted, and judgments were delivered and upheld on appeal. So we ask: what exactly is being pursued now?” Issa queried.
He alleged that the development reflected a shift from governance to political distraction.
“When a government abandons facts and begins to rely on threats, when it replaces performance with propaganda, then it is not leading—it is struggling to survive,” he said.
The group also expressed concern over the security situation in parts of the state, urging the government to prioritise the safety of citizens.
“Today, insecurity remains a real concern in parts of Kwara State. Communities are under pressure, and families are worried. Yet, instead of focusing on these urgent realities, attention is being diverted to political issues,” Issa said.
He described Saraki as a leader whose contributions to the state and country were visible, warning against attempts to malign his reputation.
“You may oppose him politically—that is democracy. But to attempt to smear his name with matters he has been legally cleared of is unacceptable,” he added.
The youths maintained that they remained law-abiding and committed to due process, urging that any genuine case should be handled transparently within the framework of the law.
They also cautioned against dragging traditional institutions into political controversies, noting that such actions could erode public confidence and respect for heritage.
“By dragging the revered office of the Waziri of Ilorin into this kind of allegation, the government has not only targeted an individual but has diminished the dignity of the Ilorin Emirate,” Issa said.
The group, however, called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to exercise restraint and prioritise governance.
“Leadership demands responsibility, restraint, and respect for institutions and heritage. We urge the governor to reflect carefully on the implications of this path,” he said.
The protest comes amid heightened political activities in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, with growing tensions among political actors and supporters across party lines.