Gaani Festival: Massive Crowd Welcomes Kwara APC Guber Candidate
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The ancient city of Gwanara in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State came alive on Saturday as dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria converged to celebrate this year’s historic Gaani Festival of the area, and to also receive the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon. Saliu Yakub Danladi.
The annual festival, which is a cornerstone cultural event for the Baruba Kingdom across Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, attracted traditional rulers, government officials, community leaders, sons and daughters of Gwanara, as well as tourists and culture enthusiasts.
The festival, known for its rich history and display of royalty, featured spectacular traditional displays, cultural performances, royal rites and traditional dances that showcased the unity and peaceful coexistence of the Baruten people. It also served as an important traditional rite of passage where young princes and princesses are officially initiated and given their royal titles.
The highpoint of this year’s celebration was the electrifying reception accorded the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Engineer Salihu Yakubu-Danladi.
Amid drumming and cheers, the APC governorship candidate was welcomed by an overwhelming crowd of his people who showed him love, affection and adoration beyond the cultural celebration. The rousing welcome turned the festival into a carnival, demonstrating the wide acceptance and love the people have for him and the APC.
Speaking at the festival, the Emir of Gwanara, Alhaji Abdullahi Sabi Idris Kotokogi II, called on the people of Baruten to continue to promote peace, unity and peaceful coexistence, noting that peace and unity remain essential for the development and progress of the community. The Emir appreciated all dignitaries who graced the occasion, describing their presence as a demonstration of support for the culture and traditions of Gwanara.
Also speaking with journalists, the Chairman of Offa Local Government Area, Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, praised the rich history of Gwanara and the calibre of personalities attending the festival. On the 2027 general elections, Hon. Olatunji said leadership selection should be based on performance, capability and capacity to deliver, rather than age.
He expressed his support for Engineer Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, describing him as his preferred candidate to sustain and continue the development strides of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Baruten Local Government Area, Alhaji Issa Jibrin, emphasised the profound global and regional importance of the Gaani festival to the Baruba people, noting that the peaceful celebration has continued to promote unity across different regions.
The festival was attended by members of the Kwara State House of assembly and the state executive council, all the Emirs in Baruten, the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Umar Danladi Shero, Local Government Chairmen and other top dignitaries.
