The Eid-el Kabir prayer in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, held peacefully with massive turn out by Muslim faithful to observe the annual prayer session.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq clearly set the ground for a peaceful atmosphere with his open exchange of pleasantries with leading opposition figures, which drew applauses and commendation from the creme de la creme and thousands of Muslim worshippers at the praying ground.
Shortly after arriving the Eid ground in company of his elder brother and Mutawali of Ilorin Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, the Governor rose from his seat to exchange pleasantries and Eid felicitations with co-worshippers on the same roll, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki; former PDP National Chairman Kawu Baraje; and former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Alfa Belgore, among others.
In a brief interview with reporters shortly before leaving for the palace to pay homage to the Emir, the Governor said he was glad about the peaceful Eid.
He said: “We thank God that we had a peaceful Eid. My message to Nigeria is about peace. As long as we have peace, our country will prosper and progress. We should all work for peace always. That is my Eid message ”
The Eid prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu, who thereafter slaughtered sacrificial ram which symbolised the height of the Eid rites.
Also at the Eid was the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, accompanied by a retinue of royal chiefs and kakaki-blaring traditional guards.
The Eid was similarly attended by several statesmen, cabinet members, members of the ruling and opposition parties.
