The highly anticipated Eid-el-Kabir Sallah durbar in Kano was entirely suspended by the state’s rival monarchs, following a proactive directive from the Kano State Police Command citing critical security concerns.
The decision brings a sudden halt to separate, parallel horse-riding processions previously announced by the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The suspension follows a pattern of heightened public anxiety and intelligence indicating that opposing political factions planned to weaponize the dual celebrations to ignite chaos across the ancient city.
The primary factors that forced the cancellation of the historic cultural festival include police enforcement and directives, credible intelligence of unrest, and the unresolved royal tussle.
The Kano State Police Command said it intervened directly, ordering a complete freeze on the Hawan Daushe and Hawan Nassarawa processions to prevent an imminent breakdown of law and order.
Also, separate security reports delivered to the emirate councils exposed plans by bad actors to exploit the large public crowds of the parallel durbars to trigger violent clashes between rival loyalists.
Equally, the deep-seated tension surrounding the legitimacy of the Kano emirship stool—which is currently awaiting final determination by the courts—made parallel displays of royal authority a direct threat to the state’s fragile peace.
“We are law-abiding citizens and would fully comply with the order of the security agencies in the interest of peace in the state,” Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi (Sarkin Dawaki Babba, speaking for Emir Aminu Bayero)
Echoing this compliance, the Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim, speaking on behalf of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, confirmed that the 16th Emir immediately canceled all scheduled processions upon reviewing the volatile security assessments.
Both factions have ordered their millions of followers to remain calm, prioritizing the safety of the state over traditional festivities.
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