The Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the traditional Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to rising security concerns in the state.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during a press briefing held at the Nasarawa mini palace in Kano. Emir Bayero explained that the decision followed consultations with respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and members of his council, who advised him to prioritize peace and stability in the state.
“I urge the people of Kano to celebrate the Sallah in peace and harmony,” Bayero said.
A durbar is a grand cultural festival held during Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. It features prayers and a ceremonial parade of the emir and his entourage on horseback, symbolizing Kano’s rich cultural heritage.
This year’s durbar was also meant to mark Emir Bayero’s fifth anniversary on the throne. However, with tensions rising over the ongoing emirship tussle between Bayero and Muhammadu Sanusi II, the former emir of Kano, the event was called off to avoid potential unrest.
The cancellation comes amid a prolonged leadership dispute over the Emir of Kano throne. In May 2024, the Kano House of Assembly passed an amended bill that allowed for the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II, who had been dethroned in 2020. The bill, signed into law by Governor Abba Yusuf, effectively removed Aminu Bayero from the throne.
However, Bayero rejected his dethronement and initiated legal proceedings to challenge the state government’s decision. The legal battle reached the Court of Appeal, which, on March 14, temporarily suspended its earlier ruling that had overturned a federal high court decision invalidating the state’s repeal of the 2019 Emirate Council Law. This suspension halted Bayero’s removal while the case awaits resolution at the Supreme Court.
As a result, both Sanusi and Bayero are now laying claim to the throne, fueling political and social tensions in Kano.
Governor Abba Yusuf recently directed all four Kano emirates to begin preparations for the Sallah durbar and ensure that citizens and visitors enjoy a peaceful festive season. Emir Bayero initially complied and notified security agencies of his intention to hold the durbar and commemorate his five-year reign. However, concerns grew over the possibility of clashes between supporters of Bayero and Sanusi.
To avoid any escalation, Bayero ultimately chose to cancel the durbar.
He urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah period to visit friends and family and to celebrate peacefully. The emir also prayed for Allah’s blessings, forgiveness, and mercy during the holy month of Ramadan.
