Those who could hold their emotion merely hissed and sighed intermittently while those who could not wept and wailed openly. It was an open display of emotion by the huge crowd that saw off Dr Bukola Saraki, the former Governor of Kwara State, as he left Ilorin, the state capital for Abuja after handing over to the newly sworn in Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed at a colourful ceremony on Sunday, May 29.

The atmosphere at the Ilorin International Airport was emotionally gripping. Before the arrival of the former Governor, a huge crowd of personalities who are indigenous to the state, party supporters and ordinary Kwarans had besieged the airport, filling every available space.

Time was 1:00 p.m. Dr Saraki had left the inauguration ground for the Presidential Lodge to prepare for his trip out of the state. His flight, which was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. was however delayed till about 4:30 p.m.

While waiting at the lodge, people trooped in endlessly to congratulate Saraki on his successful tenure, even as they wished him well in his senatorial assignments. There was outpouring of affection, with many offering prayers for the former governor.

At about 4:00 p.m., Saraki left the lodge for the airport, accompanied by a very large entourage which included the new Governor, Alhaji Ahmed. As he stepped out of the vehicle, the crowd at the airport most of whom had been waiting for over three hours surged towards him.

Security men had a hectic time controlling them. They were chanting eulogies, singing, praising and hailing the man who had touched their lives in various ways.

After what seemed an eternity, Saraki managed to battle his way through the crowd and made it to the tarmac where the plane that would take him and his wife, Toyin was already waiting. After exchanging parting greetings with members of his former cabinet, personal aides, friends and associates, Bukola moved towards the aircraft and hell was literally let loose.

People let loose their bottled-up emotion. Tears flowed freely from the young and old, male and female, high and low. Some held his clothes; other held his hands and would not let him go.

The outpouring of grief displayed by the crowd over Bukola Saraki’s departure had never been witnessed before in the history of political succession in Kwara State. Toyin, the wife, could not control her emotion as she too broke down in tears.

Bukola, who was fighting spiritedly to control his own emotion, thanked everyone for the open show of love and affection. He assured the crowd that he was not leaving them and will always be there for them whenever they need him. The assurance notwithstanding, the crowd still would not let him go.

Finally, with the assistance of the security men, he managed to extricate himself and mounted the steps of the aircraft. When he got to the top, he turned round to wave at the crowd. The crowd roared in response.

About 30 minutes later, the aircraft took off, signalling the end of one era; an era of good governance, promise delivery, urban-rural development and well-being of the populace. It also signaled the beginning of a new one; a new dawn in the political horizon of the state of harmony.