Eid-el-Kabir: Sanusi leads durbar activities in Kano despite police ban

Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, participated in the traditional Sallah durbar activities in the state on Sunday.

Sanusi earlier led the Eid prayer at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at mosque, attended by Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, and other government officials.

After the Eid prayer, Sanusi was seen riding a horse surrounded by many of his followers, including those blowing “Kaakaki,”  a local trumpet, and playing drums.

A durbar is a festival held during Eid-el-Kabir and Eid-el-Fitri celebrations. It begins with prayers, followed by a parade of the Emir and his entourage on horses.

On Thursday, the police command in Kano banned all durbar activities during the Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

Abdullahi Kiyawa, police spokesperson in Kano, said the ban was to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the larger community during the celebration.

Meanwhile, Aminu Ado Bayero, the deposed Emir of Kano, observed his Eid prayer at the Nassarawa palace.

The Daily Trust reported that Bayero had announced the cancellation of durbar activities during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Sanusi and Bayero are currently laying claim to the position of Emir of Kano.

The controversy began in May after Sanusi was reinstated as Emir by the governor of Kano.

Sanusi’s reinstatement followed the repeal of the law that Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor of Kano, used to depose and exile him in 2020.

On May 23, a federal high court in Kano ordered the state government not to enforce the Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024.

Bayero returned to Kano from a trip to Ogun and moved into a palace in Nassarawa LGA.

But the Kano governor ordered Bayero’s arrest “for creating tension” in the state.