Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf was notably absent on Sunday when the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, visited the Government House for the traditional Sallah homage.
The visit, part of the Hawan Nasarawa durbar procession, usually occurs on the third day of Eid celebrations. During this ceremony, the governor formally greets the Emir before he parades through designated routes in the city to receive well-wishes from residents.
This year, however, the proceedings were altered. Instead of Governor Yusuf, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jibril Falgore, received the Emir in a different hall rather than the usual venue, Africa House.
While the state government has not officially explained the governor’s absence, insiders suggested he was engaged in a separate meeting within the Government House. Other reports speculated that he may have been attending an event in Lagos State. Attempts to reach his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, were unsuccessful.
Earlier, the government had restricted the use of horses and cancelled several durbar processions, citing security concerns. Spokesperson Ibrahim Waiya explained that the decision was based on intelligence reports warning of possible unrest during the Sallah celebrations. As a result, only a modified Hawan Nasarawa procession took place, while other traditional processions like Hawan Daushe, Hawan Fanisau, and Hawan Dorayi were suspended.
Governor Yusuf’s absence has sparked debate across Kano, especially since he attended a similar durbar in the Gaya Emirate the previous day. The Hawan Nasarawa is seen as the climax of the Sallah durbar festivities and a symbol of the relationship and mutual respect between the state government and the traditional institution.
