- “Who Are You To Give such an Order without the Gov…?”, State Government Blasts Police
- “We Banned Durbar Celebrations For Security Reasons,” Says Kano Police
By Abiola Olawale
The crisis currently rocking the Royal stool of the Emir of Kano keeps escalating as the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II on Sunday, held a Sallah Durbar in Kano State.
The monarch held the Durbar celebrations even though the Kano State Police Command had placed a ban on the festival, citing security reasons.
The durbar was conducted after the Emir led the Eid prayer and sermon at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at mosque.
It was gathered that the Eid prayer was observed at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at mosque due to heavy rain that made it impossible to use the premises of the Eid ground.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state and other cabinet members were part of the dignitaries who observed prayer with the Emir while a combined team of security forces were on hand to provide security.
The New Diplomat reports that the Kano State Police Command had earlier banned Sallah Durbar after a joint security meeting in the State.
The announcement came after the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero directed district heads to attend the durbar procession in observance of the upcoming Edel-El-Kabir celebrations.
The three-day durbar is the largest festival in the state with a splendid display of horseback riding and cultural activities that always draw a large crowd from within and outside Kano State.
As per tradition, only an emir is permitted to preside over the traditional Sallah festivals, including the Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha celebrations. This role symbolizes their authority and responsibility as the guardians of the Emirate’s customs and culture, reflecting their esteemed position within the community.
However, the police while announcing the ban said the decision is part of enhanced security measures to ensure public safety and peace in the State during the festive period.
In reaction to the police’s stance, the Kano State government wondered why the Governor wasn’t carried along before such a decision was taken.
The Kano State Government, on Saturday, expressed concern over how the Police command in the state has been disobeying the “legitimate instructions” of Governor Abba Yusuf, Chief Security Officer of the State.
The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the state, Haruna Isah Dederi, while speaking at a press conference in Government House, Kano, said, “I am compelled to ask the question: who is usurping the authority of the Commander-in-Chief. Because some people are dishing out directives to security chiefs in the State so much so that the State Police Commissioner without any consultation with the Chief Security Officer of the State or approval from the State Security Council had issued an order banning Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Kano State.”
