By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Kano State Government has pledged its neutrality in the festering struggle for the control of the Emirate stool between factional
.
This is as the Government vehemently debunked claims suggesting that the reinstated 16th Emir Sanusi has been approved to conduct the 2026 Sallah Dubar festivities.
The Source reports that there has been an intense battle for the control of Kano Emirate throne since May 23, 2024, following the controversial dethronement of the 15th Emir Aminu Bayero and the subsequent reinstatement of Sanusi as the 16th Emir by Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf.
The two factional Emirs have since then been maintaining two parallel Palaces to assert their authorities.
While the Kano State Government-backed Emir Sanusi stays at the Kofar Kudu main Palace, his rival, Bayero, holds court at the Nasarawa mini Palace.
Similarly, while the two contending forces are presently locked in multiple legal battles which are awaiting final pronouncement from the Supreme Court, they have also been engaged in a bitter struggle over who will conduct the traditional Sallah Dubar festivities in the last three years.
The insistence of the two rival Emirs to conduct parallel Dubar festivities and the resultant tension and disagreements between their supporters had forced the Police to put the event on hold in the last three years.
The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs Ibrahim Waiya in a statement on Tuesday March, 17, 2026, insisted that no decision has been taken on who between the contending Emirs will lead this year’s Sallah Dubar activities.
The Commissioner described as baseless, misleading and totally false, trending reports suggesting that Governor Yusuf has approved Emir Sanusi to lead the Dubar festivities.
The Kano State Government while affirming its neutrality in the Emirship tussle, emphasized the need for all parties, and their supporters to allow the court to decide the matter.
The State Commissioner for Information, while appealing for calm among citizens and residents, also enjoined media practitioners to always cross- check with the appropriate authorities before reporting.
The Source further reports that tension had, last week risen, following a formal notice served by factional Emir Bayero, of his intension to conduct this year’s Sallah Dubar.
In a letter addressed to the Kano State police Command dated March 7, 2026, Bayero informed of his readiness to observe the traditional Durbar festivities immediately after the Ramadan in a few days time.
According to the notice issued by Abdullahi Haruna Kwaru, his Private Secretary, Bayero informed the State Commissioner of Police, CP 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.
His notice, however, came despite a subsisting police order banning the conduct of Sallah Dubar in the state by both Emirs based on unfavourable security reports.
CP Bakori, while banning the Durbar festivities last year, (March 25, 2025) cited disturbing security reports indicating a possible break down of law and order as a major reason for the police action.
Instructively, the Kano state authorities’ present position contrasts sharply with its past insistence on Sanusi being allowed to conduct the traditional Sallah as the Government’s recognized Emir .
In fact, Governor Yusuf had openly lambasted the Police over their refusal to allow Emir Sanusi to hold the traditional Durbar activities as the duly enthroned Emir.
The recently brokered political realignment which has seen Governor Yusuf parting ways with his erstwhile political godfather, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and pitching tent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is strongly believed by observers as having significantly altered the equation in the Emirate throne battle.
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