Former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has strongly condemned the demolition of Crystal Mall in Ilorin, which was ordered by the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. In a statement, Saraki described the action as an attack on the people of Kwara State and its economy, calling it politically motivated and aimed at intimidating the opposition.
The shopping complex, located on Sulu Gambari Road, is owned by Hon. Moshood Mustapha, a former ally of Saraki who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018. Despite this political history, Saraki stressed that his stance was not based on personal affiliations but on a broader perspective of governance and economic development.
Saraki criticized the timing of the demolition, noting that Abdulrazaq had been in office for over five years and questioned why action was being taken now. He linked the move to the governor’s response to the unpopularity of his administration following recent local government elections. Saraki accused the governor of using force to silence critics and suppress opposition voices.
According to Saraki, the demolition is a direct attack on the livelihoods of over one hundred youths and 21 business owners who operated in the mall, further deepening the economic challenges in the state. He called on religious and community leaders, as well as Kwarans at large, to resist these oppressive tactics and continue to speak truth to power.
Saraki further warned that no governor could erase the legacy of the state’s history and its people, asserting that Kwara will endure long after Abdulrazaq’s tenure. He urged Kwarans to remain steadfast in defending their rights and preserving the peace and development of their state.
The demolition has sparked significant political tension in Kwara, with many questioning the governor’s motivations and the future implications for local investments.
