Kano Emirate Crisis Deepens as Sanusi’s Horse Ride Sparks Fresh Dispute
By Akin Alade
The lingering Kano Emirate dispute has taken another turn after Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II appeared at a public event on horseback, despite the Kano State Government’s restriction on Durbar processions and horse-riding activities within the metropolis.
The development has triggered fresh reactions from the camp of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, further exposing the delicate tensions surrounding the two rival traditional authorities in the ancient city. The state government had imposed the restriction as a precautionary measure following concerns over possible clashes and threats to public order.
The latest controversy comes against the background of a prolonged struggle over the Kano Emirate stool, with Sanusi operating from the main Gidan Rumfa palace while Bayero maintains a separate royal establishment. The dispute has continued to generate political, legal and traditional consequences in the state.
The Kano State Government had directed that all forms of Durbar processions and horse-riding activities within the metropolis be suspended until further notice. Security agencies were also instructed to enforce the directive and take lawful action against violations capable of threatening public peace.
Sanusi’s latest public appearance has therefore become a fresh point of contention, with attention shifting from the traditional ceremony itself to the broader question of compliance with government security measures. The development is particularly sensitive because of the history of confrontation and competing claims associated with the Kano Emirate crisis.
The controversy also follows a separate procession involving Bayero and his supporters, during which political posters and campaign materials belonging to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf were reportedly destroyed. Bayero subsequently condemned the destruction and appealed against introducing partisan politics into traditional affairs.
With both camps continuing to command significant support, the latest development has placed renewed pressure on the state’s security architecture and traditional institutions to prevent the emirate dispute from spilling into wider public disorder.
The Kano situation also carries a legal dimension, as the rival claims to the emirate stool remain the subject of continuing litigation. Premium Times reported that the Supreme Court appeal involving Bayero’s camp was adjourned, with further proceedings scheduled for 2027.
For residents of Kano, the immediate concern remains the preservation of peace as activities connected to the two royal camps continue to attract large gatherings. The latest horse-riding controversy has once again demonstrated how quickly traditional events can become intertwined with questions of security, political loyalty and the authority of the state.
As the dispute continues, stakeholders are likely to face increasing pressure to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of escalating the already sensitive situation. The competing positions of the two emirate camps, coupled with ongoing legal proceedings, mean that the Kano Emirate crisis remains far from settled.
