Emirs Bayero, Sanusi, Kwankwaso Hold Parallel Sallah Prayers

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The recent political realignments in Kano and the festering struggle for the control of the Emirate throne have taken their toll on the unity of the State with three separate prayers held on Friday during the Eid-El-Fitr celebrations.

The Source reports that traditionally, and under normal circumstances, the Eid prayers are conducted at the expansive Kofar Mata Eid Praying Ground in the city centre.

However, during this year’s Sallah celebrations, three separate Eid prayers were conducted with the 16th Emir Mohammad Sanusi II leading the Kofar Mata Eid ground prayers where Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf ,and his cabinet members and other Government appointees were in attendance.

The second prayer session of the day was held by the factional 15th Emir Aminu Bayero at his Nasarawa mini Palace featuring some Federal Government appointees, with Sheikh Kamarudeen Albasu conducting the prayers.

The Kwankwasiyya movement leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulssalam Gwarzo, led other prominent figures in the third major prayer session of the day held at the  Milner Road residence of Senator Kwankwaso.

The three separate prayers highlighted the seemingly intractable ,and irreconcilable differences that have permeated Kano traditional leadership and governance space in recent times.

Since May, 2024, factional Emirs Bayero and Sanusi have been battling for the soul of the Kano Emirate throne  resulting in the duo maintaining parallel palaces.

While Emir Sanusi holds sway at the Kofar Kudu main Palace, his rival, Bayero holds Court at the Nasarawa mini palace close to Kano Government House.

The insistence of the two contending Emirs to lead and conduct parallel Sallah Dubar festivities ,have equally led to the traditional ceremonies being put on hold by security agencies over fears of possible break down of law and order since 2024 .

Instructively, the recent political alignments in the State which has seen Governor Yusuf parting ways with his erstwhile political godfather, Senator Kwankwaso to join forces with  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his All Progressive Congress APC have similarly served to escalate the division within the leadership and governance space of the commercial nerve centre of the Northern region of Nigeria.

Before now, Governor Yusuf  and Senator Kwankwaso were united in backing the 16th Emir Sanusi while the Federal Government, through its institutions and political allies including Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje the immediate past National Chairman of the APC supported Emir Bayero.

The political alignment is perceived to be at the heart of the polarization of the Eid prayers. Until now, and despite the struggle for the control of the  Emirate stool, all combatants had converged on the Kofar Mata Eid Ground with the prayers led by neutral Clerics.