Bayero, Sanusi parallel durbar plans raise tension in Kano

Bayero, Sanusi parallel durbar plans raise tension in Kano

 Tension is rising in Kano as the 15th Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the 16th Emir, Khalifa Mohammadu Sanusi II, plan to hold parallel Sallah Durbar festivals, raising fears of potential unrest.

This development occurs amidst an ongoing emirate dispute and legal battle, with both emirs scheduling separate events with the backing of federal and state governments.

Bayero has formally notified the police of his plans, which include traditional festivities like Hawan Sallah, Hawan Daushe, and Hawan Nassarawa to mark the end of Ramadan, also celebrating his fifth anniversary on the throne.

Meanwhile, the Kano State government has directed Sanusi to begin preparations for his own Durbar festival. This dual arrangement has sparked concerns among residents about potential safety issues during the celebrations.

Kwaru noted that this year’s celebrations marked a significant milestone, coinciding with the Emir’s fifth anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.

“The purpose of this letter is to formally notify the security agencies in Kano State, particularly the Police Force, that this year’s Sallah events coincide with the five (5) years anniversary of His Highness on the throne of his forefathers, with the assurance that all activities will be conducted peacefully,” the letter read.

He expressed hope for a peaceful celebration and prayed for protection, good health, and harmony in society, adding that the Emir’s office sought the cooperation of security agencies to ensure a peaceful and successful celebration.

Incidentally, Bayero’s notice of the event emerged on social media soon after, the Kano State Government directed the four recognized emirates, under the leadership of Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, to commence full preparation for the Durbar festival.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the directive while hosting the first and second-class emirs to a special Ramadan Iftar at the Government House, insisting that residents would not be denied the opportunity to relish the colorful traditional activities at the end of Ramadan.

The Kano Sallah Durbar festival is a famous tourist attraction that gathers visitors from within and outside Nigeria to witness the heritage of Hausa/Fulani culture at the Emir’s palace.

The Durbar features a colourful horse ride by the Emir, accompanied by district heads, traditional titleholders, and hundreds of their subjects, where they display ancient shows of strength and warrior traditions.

Besides the horse rides, the Sallah festival also witnesses the honour of homage by the Emir to the Government House (Hauwa Nassarawa) on the second day of Sallah, after the Governor would have paid a similar visit to the palace on Sallah day.

Coincidentally, while Governor Yusuf is scheduled to receive the homage of Muhammadu Sanusi and other second-class emirs at the Government House, The Guardian reliably gathered that Bayero would pay a similar visit to Federal Government delegations, including top members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kano, at a local venue yet to be unveiled.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Police Command in Kano, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, were unsuccessful as his phone line was reported to have been forwarded to another unknown line. However, the newly posted Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, upon his arrival, pledged to ensure the protection of lives and property.

Recall that the police outrightly banned the celebration of the Sallah Durbar festival last year following the emirship crisis and the attendant tension of a possible security threat in the city.

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