Again, Kano Quakes Over Parallel Sallah Dubar Festivities

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

Palpable apprehension and anxiety have once again gripped  Kano, the commercial hub of the Northern region of Nigeria , following plans by the two contending forces to the Emirate stool, Emirs Aminu Ado Bayero and Mohammad Sanusi II  to hold parallel Sallah Dubar activities.

The renewed tension is believed to have  been sparked by a letter dated March 7, 2026, and addressed to the Kano state Police Command by the factional 15th Emir, Aminu Bayero intimating it of his intention to observe the traditional durbar festivities immediately after the Ramadan period in a few days time.

According to the notice issued by Abdullahi Haruna Kwaru, his  Private Secretary, Bayero informed the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Bakori, that the Durbar festivities which will be conducted from his Nasarawa mini palace, will feature such traditional activities as Hawan Daushe, Hawan Nasarawa, Hawan Sallah, Hawan Panisai, as well as other activities.

According to the notice, details of the programme of activities lined up for the Durbar festivities including the dates, time, venues and routes of the traditional durbar procession are contained in the attached schedule, sent to various security agencies for necessary guidance and action.

This is as the  Emir prayed for the continued peace and stability of Kano state ,and successful Sallah celebrations .

This Magazine, however, gathered that the reinstated 16th factional Emir Sanusi is equally set to unveil his own schedule of Durbar festivities any moment from now, demanding the same co-operation from the police and other security agencies.

The Durbar festivities notices are coming amidst police subsisting ban on all Sallah Dubar activities in Kano .

There has been intense battle for the control of the Emirate stool, following the   reinstatement of Mohammed Sanusi II as the 16th Emir by Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf after  dethroning the 15th Emir Aminu Bayero on Thursday May 23, 2024.

The factional Emirs have since then been laying claims to the Kano ancient throne, maintaining in the process, parallel Palaces.

While Sanusi who is backed by the Kano State Government holds sway at the Kofar Kudu main Palace, Emir Bayero, who, until the recent political realignments in Kano was heavily supported by the Federal Government, holds court at the Nasarawa mini palace.

The two contending forces are presently locked in multiple legal battles which had since been consolidated and awaiting final pronouncement from the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The insistence of the two rival Emirs to conduct parallel Sallah Dubar festivities ,and the concomitant tension and disagreements between their supporters had  forced the Police to stop the traditional event in the state in the last three years.

While banning the Durbar for the third year running on March 28, 2026 ,CP Bakori cited disturbing security reports indicating possible break down of law and order as a major reason for the police action.

According to him, credible intelligence indicated alleged plans by some groups and individuals to capitalize on the Durbar festivities to disrupt the fragile peace of the State.

“In pursuit of a safe ,and secure celebration and to maintain peace and public order, the Command, in collaboration with other security agencies has assessed the rising tension and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities .

“Following credible reports on plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations”, CP Bakori then stated.

The Source further reports that the anxiety and fear surrounding this year’s planned Durbar remain even more disturbing and palpable owing to the new alignment of political forces in the state.

With the parting of ways between Governor Yusuf and his eirstwhile political godfather and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Emirate battle appears to be more complicated and volatile.

Until late January 2026, Governor Yusuf and Kwankwaso were together in their avowed support for Emir Sanusi with Bayero strongly believed to be backed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

However, with Governor Yusuf, a direct blood relation of Sanusi, now pitching tent with President Bola Tinubu against  Kwankwaso, it is yet to be seen how the new political alignments will impact the struggle for the control of the Kano Emirate stool.

Although Governor Yusuf, a couple weeks ago, had insisted that Sanusi remains the duly recognized Emir of Kano, and will remain so despite his new found political romance with the President, it is however not known if Kwankwaso will still stand by the 16th Emir.