How the Sallah Durbar cancellation exposes Kano’s leadership crisis, by
Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, FNSE
It is no longer news that this year’s traditional Sallah Durbar in Kano was abruptly called off. While this is not the first time our cultural heritage has been disrupted, this particular cancellation—triggered by a bitter, ongoing feud within the emirship and exacerbated by the overt interference of a federally controlled security apparatus—exposes the sheer political naivety of the state government’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The administration aggressively sold this party switch to the public on the glowing promise that aligning with the political centre would bring good tidings: a restoration of law and order, a stronger federal presence, and the long-awaited integration of Kano into mainstream federal politics.
Instead, the reality on the ground tells a fundamentally different and sobering story. The embarrassing cancellation of Durbar, occurring alongside a violent, terrifying resurgence of street gangs (Yan Daba), reveals a deep vacuum of focused, decisive leadership in Kano State.
This total collapse of public order completely shatters the narrative peddled by His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. For months, the Governor has suggested that migrating to the ruling party at the centre would act as a magic wand for the peace, security, and overall well-being of Kano’s citizens. This crisis completely dismantles that claim. It exposes the fiction that a mere political realignment could magically hand him back the executive reins of security—reins he laments have been systematically stripped away ever since the chaotic fallout and institutional gridlock following the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II.
When a government fails to protect a historic, culturally sacred event like the Durbar—especially after repeatedly giving the public ironclad assurances—it reveals itself to be a lame-duck administration, entirely helpless in the face of crisis. This is a devastating blow to the credibility of any leadership that expects to be taken seriously. The aggressive return of the ’Yan Daba to Kano’s streets signals a dangerous slide into a society ruled by fear. It proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that public safety cannot be bought through backdoor political deals or opportunistic alignments; it is the hard-earned product of deliberate, uncompromising governance.
The protection of human lives and property remains the government’s primary constitutional duty. So when citizens are barred from celebrating their ancient heritage because of the absurd gridlock of two rival emirs—one backed by the state government, and the other shielded by a federal security apparatus that is constitutionally mandated to answer to the state executive—any talk of “guaranteed peace” through political musical chairs becomes completely hollow. This mess proves that partisan games have been placed far above public safety, leaving ordinary citizens to suffer the consequences of an absent leadership. A government only truly exists when it is ready to stand firm and act decisively, no matter whose political interests are threatened. To back down now is total surrender, sending a clear, dangerous message to the people of Kano that they are completely on their own.
Written by Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, FNSE.
Email: bgabdullahi@gmail.com
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