The Kano state government has issued a directive to the Bichi Emirate council to suspend the turbaning ceremony of Salisu Ado Bayero, who is set to become a district head in the Emirate. Salisu is the younger brother of the Bichi Emir, Nasiru Ado Bayero.
This directive was communicated in a letter addressed to the secretary of the Bichi Emirate. The letter was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government, Ibrahim M Kabara, on behalf of Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, the Deputy Governor who is also overseeing the ministry. The letter stated that the ceremony should be suspended "due to certain exigencies at the moment."
On February 15, the Bichi Emirate had written to Salisu Ado Bayero, informing him of the emir’s approval for his appointment as a title holder/district head in Bichi. The letter had directed the prince to come to the palace on Friday, March 1, for his turbaning as district head.
When contacted about the receipt of the letter, the secretary of the Emirate council, Ibrahim Yakasai, referred this reporter to the Ministry for Local Government, from where the letter originated.
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. He stated that the letter to the Bichi Emirate suspending the planned turbaning ceremony is normal. He added that there was no hostility towards any emir as similar directives were given to other emirates in the state, and that the deputy governor holds royal fathers in high esteem.
In recent times, there have been calls by some groups for and against the dissolution of new emirates and the 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 to reinstate Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi and dissolve the new emirates of Gaya, Rano, Bichi, and Karaye. However, the Kano state branch of the 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.