It was a time of disappointment for many residents and visitors that the Kano Durbar festival was not held this Eid El Kabir due to security concerns caused by the Kano Emirate tussle.
The reinstated Emir Muhammad Sanusi II and the 15th Fulani Emir Aminu Ado Bayero lay claim to the stool.
The two royal fathers are holding court in separate palaces. A few days before the event, they were planned to hold parallel durbar processions. The possibility of violent clashes prompted the state’s police command to announce the suspension of the durbar.
On Sunday, Emir Sanusi led the Eid prayers inside the Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Mosque, Kofar Mata, instead of at the main Eid ground because of rain.
Governor Yusuf, accompanied by senior government officials, joined other worshippers at the mosque for the two raka’at prayers.
After the prayers, many admirers and other spectators were not so happy to see only the emir on horseback without the electrifying atmosphere of a colourful Durbar procession of horsemen with dancers, drummers, masquerades, trumpeters and palace guards.
The emir, on horseback, preached peace and tolerance, asking people to pray for succour amid the rising cost of living.
The dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero observed the Eid prayer at the Nasarawa Mini Palace. He, like Sanusi, mounted a white horse to the palace after the prayers without the retinue of horsemen.
It was gathered that the state government was disappointed that the police commissioner in the state announced the durbar ban without consultation with the governor who is the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the state.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on May 23, assented to the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 passed by the House of Assembly effectively sacking the five first-class emirs of Kano, Bichi, Karaye, Rano and Gaya and all appointments made under the repealed law.
Governor Yusuf then reinstated the 14th Fulani Emir, Muhammad Sanusi, and the government’s action was challenged in court culminating in the return of Aminu Ado Bayero to Kano as he was outside the state when he was removed from office.