Kano Sallah Durbar Cancellation: A Painful but Necessary, Wise Decision

By Muhammadu Dan Sa’idu

For the second time in two seasons (2024 and 2025), the famous Kano Sallah durbar processions were cancelled. No thanks to security threats, which were cited as the main resson for the cancellations. The first cancellation or ban as security agencies prefer to call it was in 2024 when the Eid-el Kabir durbar procession was banned also due to security concerns. Then comes the lastest cancellation for the ongoing Eid-el-fitr celebrations marking the end of Ramadan fasting.

Unfortunately, the two scenarios were the same. The decision was a difficult one for the authorities but unimaginable and unbelievable for the citizens and residents of the ancient city. This is due to the historical significance of the occasion. Though, recent happenings around the Kano emirate arising from the disagreement and legal tussle over the emiirship between deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and reinstated Emir, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II PhD suggests very dangerous signals, but ordinarily it wasn’t expected to escalate to become an existential threat for the revered traditional institution.
A quick reference to history and established precedence shows that the Sallah durbar processions were institutionalised to preserve the culture and history of the Hausa people and, by extension, Kano as the centre for Hausa heritage and civilisations. The durbar, which started centuries ago, began as a military parade where noble households pledged their loyalty and readiness for war to the Emir. Over the years, the Durbar transformed with changing times from display of loyalty to the Emir to a show of Emir’s military might. It continues to evolve and become a celebration of Hausa culture and heritage, including military attire and skills, music and ither cultural identities, as well as traditional outfits.

Due to its significance, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations, UNESCO recognised the Kano Durbar as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in furthance of its significance to world heritage. Today, the Kano durbar has become a major cultural and tourist attraction that brings together visitors, researchers, and tourists, among other multitudes of diverse people from across the globe.

Unfortunately, despite the pivotal role the annual durbar play in the preservation and promotion of the Hausa culture, the historal event is embroidered in an unfortunate political crossfire fueled by selfish and “irrational” motives especially from those who turned a blind eye on their roots and history thereby being deceived by some people with questionable character, pretending to be fighting for the royal institution. Clearly, the dispute over the Emiirship in Kano is unnecessary, uncalled for, and illogical as the disadvantage of the crisis far outweigh it’s advantage if at all there is one.
In the history of the Kano emirate, deposition of a sitting Emir is not new, however, what is new, is for the deposed Emir to be resistant, adamant and recalcitrant by staying put therby causing unnecessary tension and divisions amongst the traditional rulers, their subjects and by extension the entire state as a whole like in the current situation. Without mincing words, this is the genesis of the current standoff over the rightful and legally recognised occupant of the stool of Emir of Kano. This reprehensible scenario continue to dent the traditional institution and unfortunately causing the dwindling fortune of the Kano emirate and indeed, the cause of the security threats that continue to deny citizens and residents a joyous durbar processions for the second time in a stretch.

In their separate press statements to the citizens, residents and other stakeholders, the Police and the emirate council announced the cancellation for the Sallah durbar which they hinged on credible security reports that points to an impending chaos that will cause mayhem and possible destruction of lives and property. This is not the Kano we know!

Understandably, the decision is a painful and difficult one, yet it has to be taken in the interest of peace and security of innocent and law abiding citizens which of course is one of the major responsibilities of any government. Prior to the cancellation, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced plans for the durbar but upon receiving brief from security agencies, he aligned with them in order to assert his oath of protecting lives and property of the people. This is a commendable U-turn on the part of the governor as it shows responsibility and true love for his people. This is because, the governor in his capacity as the cheif security officer of the state would have ignored the security reports and ask Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II PhD and other Emirs to go ahead with the durbar but for his patriotic and visionary leadership in line with his virtue as a disciplined leader whose love for his people is above any personal interest, as he heed the security advice. By so doing, the governor has forclosed any possible opportunity for any misfortune, be it on the people of the state or his government.

It is my considered opinion that those sponsoring the ongoing crisis should have a rethink as posterity will never be kind to them. This is because, as the saying goes, “peace is priceless.” This aptly describes the very reason why authorities in Kano cancelled this year’s Sallah durbar processions in the state. Of course, the position is very painful but certainly a necessary and wise decision in the overall interest of the state and its people. But for how long can we continue to be our own enemies?

We have had enough of the distraction by those fueling divisions among the people and desecrating our revered traditional institution. All true sons and daughters of Kano whose patriotism is not in doubt must rise to the occasion and find a.lasting solution to this unfortunate and unnecessary crisis threatening our dear state. Enough of this unnecessary distraction. Ya isa haka!

Dan Sa’idu wrote in from Eye On Kano Initiative.