Kano govt continues battle with Emir Sanusi, orders district heads to shun Sallah Durba

The Kano State Government on Sunday prevented district heads
outside the Kano Emirate from participating in the Sallah Durbar of
Kano emir, Mohammed Sunusi.

A statement issued by Abba Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary to
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, announced the directive to the district
heads to shun the annual religious event.

The directive may not be unconnected to the feud between the
governor and the emir.

Many believe the crisis is because Mr Sanusi opposed Governor
Ganduje’s reelection bid. However, the state government has accused
the emir of corruption.

Earlier this year, the state government split the Kano Emirate
into five. The emir challenged the decision in court, and the high
court ordered that the status quo be maintained pending a ruling on
the suit.

The state government, however, said it had concluded the split
of the emirates before the court order.

On Sunday, the Kano government insisted the state now has five
emirates.

“Against some calls circulating in the social media, that all
District Heads were directed to attend Hawan Daushe at Kano Emir’s
palace, the Kano state government has directed all Hakimai to
attend Hawan Daushe at their respective Emirates,” Mr Anwar said in
the statement.

“It is therefore directed that District Heads from Bichi Emirate
should attend their Hawan Daushe with the First Class Emir of
Bichi, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, District Heads from Rano Emirate
should attend Hawan Daushe with their First Class Emir Alhaji Dr
Tafida Abubakar (Autan Bawo).

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“All District Heads from Karaye Emirate should attend Hawan
Daushe with their First Class Emir, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Abubakar II,
all District Heads from Gaya Emirate should attend Hawan Daushe
with their First Class Emir, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir and those
District Heads from Kano Emirate are also directed to attend Hawan
Daushe with their First Class Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

“While directing all Hakimai to comply with this directive, the
state government wishes all Muslims fruitful, peaceful and
prosperous Sallah celebration. As all measures to have a smooth,
peaceful and hitch-free celebration are put in place.”

Many district heads under the new emirates are still loyal to
Emir Sanusi and refused to pay allegiance to their new emirs.

On Saturday, the Emir of Gaya, Ibrahim Abdulkadir, suspended
Sarki Ibrahim (District head of Wudil), Bello Abubakar (District
Head of Gabasawa), Kabiru Hashim (District Head of Warawa), Yusuf
Bayero (District Head of Dawakinkudu) and Muhammad Aliyu (District
Head of Garko) for allegedly disobeying a series of directives by
the emirate council.