Editor Mahmoud Muhammad
The Kano State Government has clarified that no official decision has been made on who will lead the 2026 Sallah Durbar, dismissing widespread reports claiming a final choice between Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero.
The clarification, issued around March 16–18, 2026, follows conflicting statements from top government officials in Kano. While an adviser reportedly declared Sanusi as the “legitimate emir” expected to lead the Durbar, the Commissioner for Information quickly countered that the matter remains before the courts and no directive has been approved.
This confusion stems from the lingering emirship crisis dating back to 2020, when Bayero replaced Sanusi, and the subsequent 2024 reinstatement of Sanusi by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf; a move still being contested legally.
Meanwhile, Bayero has already notified security agencies of his intention to hold the Durbar, raising fears of parallel celebrations.
At its core, the dispute reflects a deep traditional and legal crisis threatening one of northern Nigeria’s most iconic cultural festivals.
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