Bayero Camp Reacts as Sanusi Rides Horse Despite Kano Government Ban

The camp of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has reacted to Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s decision to ride a horse to a public event despite the Kano State Government’s restriction on horse-riding and Durbar processions in the metropolis.

Sanusi rode a horse to the Sani Abacha Stadium on Thursday to attend Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary celebration.

The Emir initially left his palace in a vehicle but stopped at Kofar Mata, where he mounted a horse and continued to the stadium, where Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and other dignitaries were gathered. He later returned to the palace on horseback, with supporters cheering along the route.

Reacting to the development, a senior member of Emir Bayero’s council and Sarkin Dawaki Babba, Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, said the Bayero camp was waiting to see what action the state government would take over the reported violation of its directive.

Dan’agundi said supporters of Emir Bayero would wait for the monarch, who is currently out of town, to return before deciding on their next step.

He added that if the government’s restriction applies to all traditional rulers, the Bayero camp would announce plans for its own horse-riding procession after consultations with Emir Bayero.

According to him, the proposed procession would be to Yakasai to attend a Qur’anic graduation ceremony that had earlier been affected by the government’s restriction.

The Kano State Government had, on September 27, announced an indefinite ban on all forms of Durbar processions and horse-riding activities within the metropolis.

The government said the directive followed an emergency meeting of the State Security Council amid concerns over the mobilisation of supporters of the two rival claimants to the Kano throne and the possibility of confrontation.

The emirate dispute has continued since the Kano State Government reinstated Sanusi as Emir and repealed the law that created five emirates in the state.

Sanusi occupies the main Gidan Rumfa Palace with the backing of the state government, while Bayero operates from the Nasarawa mini-palace.