The Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Bakori, on Wednesday visited the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, to appeal to him to shelve plans to embark on a horse-riding procession to Yakasai on Thursday.

Bakori’s visit to the Emir’s palace in Nasarawa, Kano, followed a formal notification by Bayero of his intention to attend a Qur’anic graduation ceremony in Yakasai through the horse-riding procession.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Emir’s spokesperson, Abubakar Balarabe Kofar Na’isa, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH.

According to the statement, Bayero had notified security authorities of his intention to attend the ceremony through the planned horse-riding procession.

Bakori said the purpose of his visit was to appeal to the Emir to suspend the planned horse ride in the interest of peace and public safety.

He said although security authorities required anyone intending to undertake a public horse-riding or Durbar activity to give at least 72 hours’ prior written notice, they were appealing for the planned outing to be cancelled altogether.

“The security agencies are concerned about preventing anything that could create tension or threaten public peace in Kano,” the statement quoted Bakori as saying.

The commissioner appealed to Bayero to travel to the event by vehicle, as he had traditionally done, stressing the need to avoid any development capable of creating tension in the state.

Bakori also commended Bayero for respecting security directives and prioritising peace, describing him as a law-abiding traditional ruler.

“He has consistently respected security directives and prioritised peace,” Bakori said.

The police commissioner also appealed to Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Senior Councillor to the Emir, to continue supporting the monarch and encouraging cooperation with security authorities.

Responding, Bayero thanked the commissioner and his delegation for the visit and assured them of his full cooperation.

“The peace and stability of Kano remained a priority,” the Emir said, assuring the delegation that he would continue to support efforts aimed at maintaining public order.

The latest development is the newest twist in the prolonged Kano Emirate dispute, in which public appearances, traditional processions and horse-riding activities involving the rival camps of Bayero and the 16th Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, have increasingly become security issues.

The immediate controversy dates back to September 27, when the Kano State Government restricted all forms of Durbar processions and horse-riding activities within the Kano metropolis until further notice.

The government said the decision followed an emergency meeting of the State Security Council, which reviewed the security situation surrounding planned activities involving the rival emirate camps.

“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 property damage,” the government said in the statement signed by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The directive came after Bayero embarked on a public procession from his mini-palace on State Road towards his residence in Mandawari amid a large gathering of supporters.

Reports said the procession followed a planned traditional outing associated with his camp.

However, the controversy took another turn on October 1 during Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary celebration.

Sanusi rode on horseback to the Sani Abacha Stadium for the celebration after reportedly leaving his palace in a vehicle and mounting a horse at Kofar Mata. He later returned to the palace on horseback.

The development triggered a fresh reaction from Bayero’s camp, which questioned how the state government would enforce the restriction if it applied to all traditional rulers.

The reaction was voiced by Dan’agundi, a senior member of Bayero’s council and Sarkin Dawaki Babba.

Dan’agundi said the camp would wait for Bayero’s return and organise a fresh dubar, adding that if the restriction applied equally to all traditional rulers, the camp would consult with the Emir on another horse-riding procession.

He said the proposed outing would be to Yakasai, where Bayero was expected to attend a Qur’anic graduation ceremony.

The police, however, took a position, reiterating that the security directive remained binding on everyone irrespective of status or position.

Bakori said the threats that had prompted the restriction remained potent and warned against activities capable of jeopardising public safety.

“The threats which necessitated the ban have been put under serious checks but remain potent,” the commissioner said during a security briefing.

Following the reinstatement of Sanusi as the 16th Emir by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in May 2024 and the repeal of the law that had created five emirate councils, Bayero remained in Kano and continued to operate from the Nasarawa palace.

The development created two rival centres of traditional authority in the metropolis. (PUNCH)