AS Muslim faithful across Nigeria prepare for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, holding tomorrow, Friday, June 6, the traditional Durbar festival may not hold in Kano and Niger states.
The ICIR reports that the durbar festival is usually held twice yearly in Kano and some other ancient towns in Northern Nigeria, to mark the Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
It is a colourful event that often lasts for three or four days, with the festival characterised by processions through the city, led by the emir, a key player in the event.
The emir leads about five processions throughout the festival.
Less than 48 hours to the Sallah festival, the Kano State Police Command on Tuesday, June 3, announced a ban on all Durbar activities across the state during the celebrations.
The command, in a statement released by its spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, cited security concerns and the need to ensure law and order for the ban.
“To maintain law and order, the Command outlined a series of restrictions, including a ban on horse or animal riding (Kilisa); ban on car racing and reckless driving; prohibition of unlawful possession or display of firearms or weapons; and warning against carrying dangerous or suspicious items in public,” the statement read.
The police directive was issued hours after the Kano Emirate Council led by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi released a circular inviting traditional leaders, including district heads and their horsemen, to take part in the annual Sallah Durbar festivities.
The ICIR reports that emirship tussle in the Kano Emirate between Sanusi and Aminu Bayero who have claimed to be lawful Emir of the ancient city, after conflicting court judgements, led to the police declaring a similar ban on durbar in 2024.
The issue of rightful occupant of the throne is currently before the Supreme Court, which will take a final stance on the matter.
The Kano State Police Command said based on credible intelligence and earlier security assessments, all forms of durbar activities remained banned across the state.
The ICIR reports that Kano has been facing crisis following the state Assembly’s repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law of 2019, which resulted in the dethronement of the five emirs appointed in 2020 by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The Assembly replaced the 2019 Kano Emirate Council Law with a new 2024 version, dissolving the five emirates into a single entity and clearing the way for the reinstatement of Sanusi, a former Central Bank of Nigeria’s governor, wjo.was installed as the 16th Emir of Kano.
He replaced Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir.
After several court orders, seen by many Nigerians as controversial, Sanusi has continued to operate from the main palace, while Bayero has occupied the mini palace in Nassarawa area of the city..
Similarly, Niger State Governor Umar Bago has suspended celebrations, in the state, including Hawan Bariki, Durbar, and other public events in honour of flood victims
In a statement released on Wednesday, June 4, the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, announced the directive in response to a devastating flood in Mokwa that killed over 200 and displaced many families.
“This decision was taken as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic flood in Mokwa.
“As we commemorate Eid, let us do so with humility, empathy, and a deep sense of community,” the governor said.
Bago condoled with the affected communities and encouraged people of the state to use the occasion of Eid to pray for those lost in the tragedy, perform acts of charity, and stand in solidarity with those facing hardship.
Recall that the Federal Government declared Friday, June 6, and Monday, June 9, 2025, as public holidays to mark this year’s Sallah celebration.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflict, sex for grades in Nigerian Universities, harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.