The people of Ilorin yesterday rose in unison against perpetration of political violence in Ilorin Emirate.

The umbrella body of all socio- political group in the community- Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) at its 49th anniversary urged politicians in different camps to work for the progress of the community, advising them to shun violence.

"The union wishes to appeal to all our political players to tread with caution, maturity and fear of Allah to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevail before, during and after the 2012 elections.

The national president of the union, Alhaji AbdulHameed Adi added that "This union believes, as the wise men do, in the superiority of peace over violence. Besides, honour or dishonour does not apply to winning or losing elections. Indeed, it is more honourable and Godly to accept defeat without recourse to violence.

The IEDPU President also called on the federal government to halt the planned relocation of the Air force Base in Ilorin.

"We do not want this to happen, in the first place. Ilorin, the state capital of Kwara state has what it takes to coveninently continue to host the base. We have a good Airport and not too busy to accommodate the Air force aerial activities as well as good accommodation for her officers and men. Secondly, the presence of the base in the state increases the sustianibility of peace in the state," he added.

The union also called for the expansion of the Mandala prison to enable it accommodate all the inmates of Ilorin prison yard.

It also wants the establishment of federal college of education and make the Al-Majiri school to be functional in Kwara, saying, "Kwara is one of the few states with a Federal College of Education and functional Al-Majiri School.

emirate including Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr. (Mrs) Nimota Akanbi, representatives of the Kwara state Government, among others from all walks of life.