A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Abdulkareem Onilemarun, has provided an account of the reported meeting between Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Ilorin-born mining magnate, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki Gambari, at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, on Wednesday.
In a statement published on his official social media page, Onilemarun claimed that the meeting was initiated through an invitation extended to Seriki by Dr Ghali Alaaya, an associate of the governor.
According to Onilemarun, Alaaya contacted the businessman and invited him for an engagement, which Seriki reportedly accepted in good faith.
He alleged that tensions emerged during the initial interaction when Alaaya appealed to Seriki, prompting one of the businessman’s associates to question why the governor’s camp was seeking his support despite what he described as previous unfair treatment.
Onilemarun further claimed that Governor AbdulRazaq subsequently reached out to Vice President Kashim Shettima to intervene and encourage Seriki to meet with him.
He said Shettima reportedly urged Seriki to honour the request by visiting the Government House and communicating his grievances to the governor, while emphasising that the decision remained entirely his.
Seriki was subsequently said to have agreed to the meeting out of respect for the Vice President.
Seriki Recalls Previous Political Disagreement
Recounting what allegedly transpired during the meeting, Onilemarun claimed that Governor AbdulRazaq appealed for Seriki’s political support, reportedly telling him that he had approached the Presidency because he wanted him on his side.
However, Seriki was said to have reminded the governor of their previous disagreement over the selection of candidates for the Kwara State House of Assembly.
According to the PDP chieftain, Seriki recalled that the governor had previously asked him to nominate seven candidates for the Assembly, a request he reportedly fulfilled.
He alleged that the nominated individuals were eventually not considered, leaving him feeling humiliated, particularly over comments suggesting that he had received compensation for his political position.
Onilemarun said Seriki, however, told the governor that he had moved beyond the alleged incident but had already established a political partnership with the PDP in good faith.
Reaffirms Support for Tinubu, PDP Candidates
The account further stated that Seriki reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while maintaining his political support for PDP candidates in Kwara State under the existing arrangement.
Onilemarun claimed that Seriki insisted that any attempt to alter the arrangement would require consultations with the G15 group and its leadership.
He also alleged that the mining magnate made it clear that he would not support the governorship ambition of the governor’s preferred candidate, Rt. Hon. Engr. Salihu Yakubu Danladi.
Seriki Allegedly Declines Photograph With Governor
Onilemarun further claimed that Governor AbdulRazaq attempted to persuade Seriki to take photographs with him after the meeting, but the businessman declined.
He suggested that the alleged refusal explained why photographs of the reported engagement had not emerged publicly.
However, the claims and details contained in Onilemarun’s account have not been independently verified. Neither the governor’s camp nor the other individuals mentioned have provided an official response to the allegations.
The circumstances surrounding the meeting and the political positions attributed to the parties therefore remain subject to further clarification.
