By Ibraheem Abdullateef

When I made a condolence post on Tuesday asking for the update about a reported tragic incident at Bukola Saraki’s residence over the weekend, some misguided and headless mob came to my page to brand it as false and misleading.

But the last has not been heard about the parallel durbar former senate president Bukola Saraki held at his GRA Ilorin residence on Sunday. Earlier condemned by stakeholders in several quarters for being an act of disrespect and contempt of the highest order for Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR and the entire people of Ilorin Emirate, reports have also emerged about how it left a trail of blood and anguish in the life of a poor family.

Since I have been challenged to come up with details, some even going ahead to threaten my family, it was a matter of time before they got exposed for this fraud. One death has now been confirmed.

The victim, Hajia Roheemat Aduke Atanda, a middle-aged woman, is the wife of former PDP chairman of Abeemi/Itamerin joint zone. The husband, Mallam Jimoh Atanda, popularly known as Baba Mufu, died barely three months ago.

They lived in Olosan Compound at Itamerin.

The wife reportedly died in tragic circumstances in Bukola Saraki’s residence during the contemptuous and haphazardly planned ‘Temu Durbar’ or ‘Ojude Saraki’ celebrations held in GRA on Sunday.

Several eyewitness accounts allegged that it was a case of poor safety and crowd control which led to a brief stampede.

The victim left behind a child. As a result of this incident, the poor child has now been turned into an orphan.

She was buried yesterday amidst sobbing and sadness. The entire Ile Olosan compound and the community are in mourning over the sad incident.

Over 48 hours after the incident, neither Bukola Saraki nor Kwara PDP has acknowledged this development. It is even more insensitive that PDP went ahead to release a statement today commending Saraki for the jamboree, but there was not a word of condolence for the victim and her family.

It is surprising and shocking that both Saraki and the leaders of the PDP would even try to cover the incident up totally. Instead of showing empathy and accountability, party chieftains have resorted to threatening family members and neighbours from disclosing details of the victim and the circumstances of death in order to protect the image of their leader.

Most wickedly, they also instructed some of their members to tell anyone inquiring that the incident happened at the parallel Saraki-Durbar, in order to divert attention, instead of coming clean that it was another tragedy at the backyard of the Sarakis during the odd ‘Ojude Saraki’ jamboree. This goes to give a bad name to Durbar2025, organised by Engr Yahaya Alapansapa-led committee under the auspices of Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, which went smooth and free without hassle. I hope that the committee sees this and take urgent action to save their reputation which may be sullied by Saraki and his followers before a global audience because of their selfish political interest.

When people celebrate Durbar next year, the family members of the victim will now be using the day as a remembrance of a daughter, mother, and grandmother, whose death could have been avoided.

Some have since said this is another political sacrifice. It somewhat rehashed the old memory of annual sallah ‘ritual’ due to stampede linked to the former senate president and his dynasty.

According to Premium Times, no less than 47 lives were lost between 2010 and 2013 while queuing up for food and pittance from the former Governor.

These were people with husbands, children, friends and extended family. The late wife of the former PDP zonal chairman has now joined the list.

At what point would this gale of avoidable tragedy stop?

I am urging the relevant government agencies, especially the security, to look into the issues carefully with a view to upholding justice and preventing future occurrence in the politician’s residence.

Now, members of PDP should advise Saraki to reach out personally to the poor family with support and empathy, and own up to the incident as decent people will do instead of the reports of threats flying around. He can no longer ignore them just because he wants to protect his image. The public is fully aware. If he cannot do this to reward the sacrifices of the late husband and wife, he should at least consider the future of the teenager the good woman left behind. They should also stop this criminal and wicked act henceforth. Only Allah giveth and taketh lives. But it is terrible threatening a grieving family just to cover the irresponsibility of the one leader they trusted. It is cowardice.

Abdullateef is Senior Special Assistant on Communication to the Governor