The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has faulted a viral video allegedly of some persons protesting current economic hardship in front of his palace.

The Emir, in a statement on Sunday titled “Reaction to viral video” signed by his spokesman, Abdulazeez Arowona, said that such a protest did not take place in his palace.

According to the statement, the said viral video was part of an event that took place in 2019 during the buildup to the year's general elections.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a video in circulation on social media platforms where some people are shouting and lamenting over poverty and hardship in front of the Emir's Palace in Ilorin.

“We want to state categorically that the said video was part of the events that characterised and witnessed during the build-up to the 2019 general elections.

“The video does not have any connection with the current situation in the country, and it would be recalled that in occasions of such, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, always express his concern on the need to ensure that peace and harmony continue to prevail in the society.

“At the height of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the emir expressed a high level of concern and joined governments at all levels in the campaign towards ensuring that the unfortunate situation was contained while he also played frontline roles in championing the pains and interests of the masses during the scarcity of Naira currency which inflicted hardship nationwide with no exemption to anyone irrespective of social, political and economic status.

“On the current economic hardship, the Emir and his colleagues at the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council level are engaging government at all levels on the need to continue to improve the welfare, security, and social life of the people of the state with commendations to the state government for being responsive to masses-oriented issues.”

“We thereby appeal to the general public to disregard the video in circulation in order to avoid any misrepresentation of the scenario vis a vis the location of the gathering as reflected in the video even as we plead with the people of Ilorin and Kwara State at large to remain peaceful and prayer always.”