Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf

The Kano state government has instructed the Bichi Emirate council to suspend the turbaning ceremony of Salisu Ado Bayero as a district head within the Emirate.

Salisu is the younger brother of the Bichi Emir, Nasiru Ado Bayero.

In a letter addressed to the secretary of Bichi Emirate and signed by the permanent secretary Ministry for local government, Ibrahim M Kabara, on behalf of Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, the Deputy Governor and also overseeing Commissioner the ministry, said the exercise should be suspended “due certain exigencies at the moment”.

“Reference to the communication received from you via a letter with reference number Bichi/EM/Adm/018/Vol III/167 with the above caption dated 2nd February 2024. I am instructed to convey the government’s directives to suspend the exercise due to exigencies at the moment.” the letter read in part.

Bichi Emirate had on 15 February written to Salisu Ado Bayero informing him of the emir’s approval for appointment as Title holder/district head in Bichi.

The letter directed the prince to come to the palace on Friday March 1 for his turbaning as district head.

The secretary of the Emirate council Ibrahim Yakasai, when contacted on receipt of the letter, referred this reporter to the Ministry for local government where the letter emanated from.

However, the chief press secretary to the deputy governor, Ibrahim Garba, explained that the established procedure requires the emirates to write and seek clearance before any appointment can be made, saying the letter to the Bichi Emirate suspending the planned Turbaning ceremony is normal.

He said there was no hostility towards any emir as similar directives were given to other emirates in the state, adding that the deputy governor holds royal fathers in high esteem.

In recent time there have calls by some groups for and against dissolution of new emirates and reinstatement of the deposed Emir Muhammadu Sanusi.

A group called Yan Dangwallen Jihar Kano had on February 16 sent a reminder to the state house of assembly asking to review the Kano emir’s deposition and appointment law with a view to reinstating Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi and dissolving the new emirates of Gaya, Rano, Bichi and Karaye.

But Kano state branch of Northern Youth Awareness council(NOYAC) kicked against this, asking the assembly to reject the demand because of the positive impact of emirates in the region.