Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kano State Government has banned all forms of Durbar processions and horse-riding activities within the Kano metropolis until further notice, following an emergency meeting of the State Security Council at the Government House on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The decision was announced in a statement by the Governor's spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and takes immediate effect across the city.
The ban was prompted by security assessments that indicated a significant mobilisation of supporters in connection with planned Durbar activities, raising concerns about possible clashes and a breakdown of law and order. "The State Security Council resolved to take precautionary measures to prevent any possible confrontation, preserve public order, and avoid any potential loss of lives or damage to property," the statement read. The government said the decision was taken in line with its constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property and maintain peace across the state. All relevant security agencies have been directed to enforce the restriction and take appropriate lawful action against anyone found violating the directive or engaging in conduct capable of threatening public peace and security. Residents, traditional institutions, political actors, supporters, and other stakeholders have been urged to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, and to comply fully with the directive. The government assured residents that necessary measures were being taken to protect lives and property and maintain public order across the state.
The restriction followed an unexpected public appearance by the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, who led a Durbar procession on Sunday morning from the mini palace on State Road to his private residence in Mandawari. The procession, which began at about 9:00 a.m., passed through major roads in the metropolis, including State Road, Obasanjo Road, and IBB Road, before proceeding through Kofar Wambai, Zage, Yola Road, and Kwanar Gabari. Thousands of people lined the route as the royal entourage, accompanied by security operatives, made its way to the Emir's residence. The monarch was scheduled to attend a Qur'anic school graduation ceremony in the Yakasai quarters of the metropolis later that day.
The public appearance by Ado-Bayero is the latest chapter in the protracted and bitter dispute over the Kano Emirate stool, which has pitted him against the reinstated Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II. The crisis dates back to 2024, when the Kano State Government repealed the law that created five new emirates and reinstated Sanusi, who had been deposed in 2020. Ado-Bayero, who was appointed by the previous administration, has refused to vacate the throne and continues to operate from a separate palace in the Nasarawa area of the city. Both men conduct traditional rites, court sessions, and public functions independently, and both command significant followership across the state. Sanusi occupies the main Gidan Rumfa palace with the full backing and recognition of the Kano State Government, while Ado-Bayero operates from the mini palace, from where he led Sunday's procession.
The standoff has created a volatile security situation in Kano, with the potential for clashes between supporters of the two claimants. In May 2025, the police warned of a possible breakdown of law and order following intelligence reports that some individuals were planning to disrupt the peace. In August 2026, the Kano State Government announced that it had uncovered plans by certain elements to cause mayhem in the state, and security agencies were placed on high alert. The decision to suspend all Durbar processions and horse-riding activities across the metropolis is the most sweeping restriction imposed by the government since the emirate crisis began, and it reflects the depth of concern within the security establishment about the potential for large-scale violence.
The ban has immediate implications for the traditional institutions, particularly for Ado-Bayero, who has used Durbar processions as a means of demonstrating his popular support and asserting his claim to the throne. By suspending all such activities, the government has effectively neutralised a key platform for the 15th Emir to project his influence and mobilise his followers. The restriction also applies to Sanusi, though he has largely confined his activities to the Gidan Rumfa palace and has not held public processions of comparable scale in recent months. The government's decision is a clear signal that it will not tolerate any action that could escalate tensions in the city, regardless of the traditional or ceremonial nature of the activity.
The ban has been met with a mix of reactions across Kano. Supporters of the government's decision argue that the restriction is necessary to prevent a repeat of the violence that has plagued the state in recent years, particularly during periods of heightened political and traditional tension. They point to the volatility of the emirate dispute and the ease with which supporters can be mobilised as justification for the precautionary measure. Critics, however, view the ban as an overreach that infringes on the cultural and traditional rights of the people of Kano. They argue that Durbar is an integral part of the state's heritage and that suspending it indefinitely amounts to collective punishment for the actions of a few. Some have also questioned the timing of the ban, noting that it came hours after Ado-Bayero's procession had already taken place, suggesting that the government was reacting to his public appearance rather than acting proactively.
The Kano State Government has not indicated how long the restriction will remain in force, stating only that it will be reviewed as the security situation evolves. The government has also not specified what conditions would need to be met for the ban to be lifted, leaving traditional institutions and residents uncertain about the future of one of Kano's most cherished cultural practices. For now, the streets of the metropolis will be quieter, the horses will remain in their stables, and the rival claimants to the emirate throne will be forced to pursue their rivalry through other, less visible means. The question on everyone's mind is whether the ban will restore calm or simply postpone a confrontation that many fear is inevitable.
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