Kano Royal Rumble: Sanusi, Bayero Gear Up for Separate Processions Amidst Political Firestorm

Kano is bracing for an unusual day on Sunday, September 27, 2026, as two separate royal processions are scheduled to take place, involving the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero. Emir Sanusi II is set to lead the Hawan Babban Daki, while Emir Aminu Ado Bayero will attend the Hawan Fatahu Yakasai on the very same day. This unprecedented scheduling has drawn considerable attention, particularly because both processions are expected to traverse shared routes around the same time, raising concerns about potential public interaction between their respective supporters.

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II's procession is planned to commence from his palace, Gidan Tunda. The route will then take him through Kofar Kwaru and Mandawari before concluding at Galadanci in the evening. This traditional procession is a significant cultural event, symbolizing the Emir's connection with his people and heritage.

Concurrently, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero is slated to depart from his palace to his residence in Mandawari. Later in the evening, his procession will also pass through Kofar Kwaru on its way to Unguwar Yakasai, where he is expected to participate in a Qur’anic graduation ceremony. The overlap in the announced routes, specifically Mandawari and Kofar Kwaru, is a key point of public and observer focus due to the ongoing rivalry between the two royal figures.

The underlying tension stems from the fact that the two royal fathers have been at loggerheads since Emir Sanusi II was reinstalled by the current state administration, which was elected on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party. Aminu Ado Bayero, who reportedly enjoys support from the Federal Government, has continued to claim the throne and resides at Nassarawa Palace. Observers are keenly watching how these events will unfold peacefully, hoping to avoid any confrontation given the divided loyalties and political implications.

In a related development, the family of the embattled former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, has vehemently refuted claims of neglect by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. These claims originated from an article titled “Sanusi and the Betrayal of El-Rufai,” penned by Professor Farooq Kperogi and published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Asia Mohammed Ahmad, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai's wife, publicly dismissed the insinuations on her Facebook page, asserting that the Emir has consistently shown support for their family. She clarified that the content of Mallam El-Rufai’s post had no bearing on His Royal Highness and urged people to refrain from making assumptions without full knowledge.

Bello El-Rufai, son of the former governor, echoed his mother's sentiments, confirming that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi remains a paternal figure who truly stands with their family. Public commentary on Asia Mohammed Ahmad’s post further highlighted the perceived limitations of an Emir's role in political or legal matters. One commentator, Mallam Muhammad Bello, described Kperogi's article as