The dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has extended invitations to all district heads in the Kano Emirate for the annual traditional durbar event in celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir festival. This move comes amid his dethronement by the Kano State Government and the ongoing legal battle over the Kano Emirship.
Key Events:
1. Invitation to Durbar:
– Bayero’s announcement was detailed in a circular signed by Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the Galadiman Kano.
– The circular, dated June 10, 2024, called on district heads to gather at Bayero’s palace at Gidan Nassarawa for the traditional durbar ceremony.
– The circular directed district heads to bring village heads, horse riders, and praise singers for the festivities and to meet at the palace on June 15 at 11 am for further directives.
2. Legal Proceedings:
– The Kano High Court’s hearing on the emirship tussle, scheduled for Tuesday, faced delays due to the lack of service of court processes on Bayero.
– The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, reported difficulties in serving court papers on Bayero and four other dethroned emirs.
– A motion ex parte filed on May 27, 2024, sought to restrain the dethroned emirs from parading themselves as emirs. The respondents, including Bayero, were not successfully served due to a Federal High Court order preventing their arrest and intimidation.
– Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu criticized the failure to serve the papers and adjourned the case to June 24 for further hearing.
3. Context of the Legal Battle:
– The legal battle follows the recent repeal of the Kano Emirates Council Law 2019 and the reenactment of the Kano Emirate Law 2024 by the State House of Assembly on May 23, 2024.
– Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf swiftly assented to the new law, effectively dissolving the four newly created emirates and reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
– This move added another layer of complexity to the already tense situation surrounding the Kano Emirship.
Implications:
Bayero’s plans to host the durbar despite his dethronement signify a bold assertion of his position, potentially exacerbating the crisis in Kano. The legal tussle over the Kano throne and the unfolding political drama contribute to the instability in the region as the traditional and governmental powers continue to clash.