Palpable fear and tension has gripped the ancient city of Kano as Emirs Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero are both planning to feature the traditional Sallah Durbar festival.

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The parallel plan has sent jitters down the spine of Kano residents amid uncertainty and possible violence as both are laying claims to the legitimacy of organizing Sallah Durbar.

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Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has already scheduled a Durbar festival, but Emir Sanusi II is kicking.

Our correspondent reports that both Emirs have mapped out line of events with the State Government backing Emir Lamido Sanusi II, while the Federal Government is backing Aminu Ado Bayero.

CAPITAL POST recalled the prolong emirship tussle in Court. The development is causing more confusion as both Emirs are laying claims to the throne.

In a letter signed by Bayero’s Private Secretary, Abdullahi Haruna Kwaru, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, the 15th Emir has notified the authorities of the plan and arrangements to conduct the traditional festival, including Hauwa Nasarawa and Daushe, to commemorate the end of Ramadan.

According to the schedule, Bayero’s festivities will feature Hawan Sallah, Hawan Daushe, and Hawan Nassarawa on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of Shawwal 1446 AH, followed by a cultural event on the 4th day.

Kwaru noted that this year’s celebrations marked a significant milestone, coinciding with the Emir’s fifth anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.

“The purpose of this letter is to formally notify the security agencies in Kano State, particularly the Police Force, that this year’s Sallah events coincide with the five (5) years anniversary of His Highness on the throne of his forefathers, with the assurance that all activities will be conducted peacefully,” the letter read.

Kwaru expressed hope for a peaceful celebration and prayed for protection, good health, and harmony in society, adding that the Emir’s office sought the cooperation of security agencies to ensure a peaceful and successful celebration.

Incidentally, Bayero’s notice of the event emerged on social media soon after, the Kano State Government directed the four recognized emirates, under the leadership of Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, to commence full preparation for the Durbar festival.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the directive while hosting the first and second-class emirs to a special Ramadan Iftar at the Government House, insisting that residents would not be denied the opportunity to relish the colorful traditional activities at the end of Ramadan.

The Kano Sallah Durbar festival is a famous tourist attraction that gathers visitors from within and outside Nigeria to witness the heritage of Hausa/Fulani culture at the Emir’s palace.

The Durbar features a colourful horse ride by the Emir, accompanied by district heads, traditional titleholders, and hundreds of their subjects, where they display ancient shows of strength and warrior traditions.

Besides the horse rides, the Sallah festival also witnesses the honour of homage by the Emir to the Government House (Hauwa Nassarawa) on the second day of Sallah, after the Governor would have paid a similar visit to the palace on Sallah day.

Coincidentally, while Governor Yusuf is scheduled to receive the homage of Muhammadu Sanusi and other second-class emirs at the Government House, The Guardian reliably gathered that Bayero would pay a similar visit to Federal Government delegations, including top members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kano, at a local venue yet to be unveiled.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Police Command in Kano, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, were unsuccessful as his phone line was reported to have been forwarded to another unknown line. However, the newly posted Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, upon his arrival, pledged to ensure the protection of lives and property.

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Another explosion has rocked the Soku oil
facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

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Sunday’s fire is the second in a week after an explosion hit the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, thus raising concerns of sabotage.

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The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a prominent grassroots NGO active across the Niger Delta, confirmed the incident on Sunday, March 23.

In a statement signed by Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, its executive director, YEAC disclosed that its youth volunteers reported an early morning explosion accompanied by fireballs at the facility, which is operated by Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited.

“An explosion accompanied by fireballs was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area, which is difficult to reach. The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” Fyneface stated.

The cause of fire at the gas station in Toru LGA was not yet clear at the time of the press, but speculations about equipment failure to sabotage or even deliberate attack was rife.

It marks the third explosion at oil facilities in Rivers State within a week, intensifying concerns over the state’s oil infrastructure.

The first explosion occurred in Ogoni, while the second took place in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. The latter incident was referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast on March 18, during which he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.

In response to the escalating security challenges, President Tinubu took decisive action by suspending the Rivers State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The move followed allegations that the governor failed to protect the state’s critical oil infrastructure.

Tensions have further heightened following a viral video in which some youths issued warnings against the governor’s impeachment.

The recent string of explosions has raised alarm among stakeholders in the Niger Delta, a region already grappling with environmental degradation and security issues tied to oil production. With fires still raging at the Soku facility, calls for an urgent investigation and enhanced security measures around oil infrastructure have grown louder.

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.

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In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.

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Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.

He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.

Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.

Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.

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