Conflicting Government Directives Fuel Tension in Kano as Parallel Emirs Prepare for Rival Sallah Durbar Celebrations

Kano faces a "two emirs" crisis as both Sanusi II and Ado Bayero plan parallel Sallah Durbar celebrations amid conflicting government statements.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 9:49 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Trust

A Divided Administration on Royal Authority

The longstanding dispute over the Kano emirship has reached a new peak of complexity following contradictory statements from high-ranking state officials. Professor Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Emirates and Chieftaincy Affairs, publicly declared Muhammadu Sanusi II as the "legitimate Emir" authorized to lead the upcoming Durbar. However, this position was immediately complicated by Commissioner for Information Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who urged the public to ignore unauthorized directives, noting that the legal status of the throne remains a matter for the judiciary. This internal friction highlights the delicate political balance the state government is attempting to maintain while the courts deliberate.

Parallel Preparations at Gidan Rumfa and Nassarawa

On the ground, the rivalry is manifesting through dual logistical arrangements. Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir, has officially notified the Kano State Police Command of his intent to host Durbar festivities from the Nassarawa mini-palace. Simultaneously, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the reinstated 16th Emir, continues to occupy the historic Gidan Rumfa palace. While Sanusi has not yet released a formal schedule, his supporters maintain that as the governor-recognized traditional head, the central Sallah activities are his prerogative. The prospect of two separate royal entourages traversing the city simultaneously has raised significant public safety concerns.

The Historical Context of the Emirate Fracture

The current impasse is the latest chapter in a saga that began in 2019 under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who fragmented the Kano Emirate into five distinct entities. This move effectively decentralized Sanusi II’s power before his eventual dethronement and replacement by Bayero in 2020. The 2024 repeal of the emirate law by the current administration sought to reverse these changes and reinstate Sanusi, but the refusal of Bayero to vacate his claim—supported by ongoing litigation—has created a persistent "two emirs" reality that continues to polarize the state.