By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The factional 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has questioned the motives behind the last minute approval granted to his rival, the reinstated 16th factional Emir, Mohammad Sanusi II to hold a structured and limited Sallah Dubar in the State.
The source reports that the two factional Emirs who have been battling for the control of the Emirate stool since 2024 had been restrained by security agencies from holding parallel Sallah Dubar festivities in the state for the past three years over fears of possible breach of peace and stability.
Only on Tuesday March 17, 2026, the Kano State Government had reaffirmed the effectiveness of the ban on all Sallah Dubar activities in the State, pending when the litany of legal proceedings filed by both contending Emirs will be settled by the country’s judiciary.
In a statement then issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs Ibrahim Waiya, the Kano state authorities also reaffirmed their resolve not to side with any of the parties.
The Commissioner, who was reacting to media reports suggesting that the reinstated 16th Emir Sanusi had been granted permission to conduct the Sallah Dubar ahead of Emir Bayero, insisted that no such decision had been taken.
The Commissioner’s statement also came amidst tension sparked by a notice served by Bayero on the police, signaling his intention to conduct the Sallah Dubar festivities.
In a letter addressed to the Kano State Police Command dated March 7, 2026, signed by Abdullahi Haruna Kwaru his Private Secretary, Bayero informed of his readiness to observe the traditional Sallah Dubar immediately after the Ramadan.
However, following the March 17, official position insisting that neither of the two Emirs should conduct the Sallah Dubar in the over all interest of the peace of the State, Bayero was said to have cancelled his earlier plan for the event l.
However, at a media briefing on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Kano, Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi ,(Sarkin Dawaki Maituta ) expressed Emir Bayero’s huge disappointment with the Kano State Government’s U-turn .
According to him, the Kano state Government’s surprise reversal of position came just as Emir Bayero complied with an earlier Government directive leading to his cancellation of preparations for the Sallah Dubar festivities.
Dan’Agundi, one of the Emirate’s kingmakers noted that the 15th Emir cancelled the planned Sallah Dubar even when preparations had reached an advanced stage in the overall interest of the peace and stability of Kano State.
While commending the State authorities for their proactive measures towards ensuring peace and stability, Dan’Agundi, however, expressed serious concern over the tacit approval granted Sanusi to hold a modified version of Sallah Dubar.
According to the Kano Emirate Kingmaker, granting such an approval to Sanusi, apart from smacking of partiality on the part of the State Government, is tantamount to pre-emptying the cases in court.
It would be recalled that the State Commissioner for Information, Waiya had in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 informed that Sanusi will be leading a partial 2026 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah Dubar activities.
According to Waiya, the decision to allow for only a partial Sallah Dubar festivities, was sequel to the receipt of credible intelligence warning of attempts by some individuals to disrupt the peace of the State.
The Commissioner emphasized the Kano state Government’s unwavering commitment towards preserving Kano’s cultural heritage, without undermining peace and security.
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