Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has held a closed-door meeting with House of Representatives member Kabiru Alhassan Rurum and National Productivity Centre Director-General Baffa Babba Dan’agundi amid ongoing tensions over the Kano Emirate.
The meeting took place at the Kano State Government House on Wednesday night and reportedly lasted for almost two hours.
Local newspapers reported that a source who witnessed the development said Rurum and Dan’agundi arrived at about 10:30 p.m. and went straight to the governor’s office, where they met with Yusuf.
The source said the exact issues discussed during the meeting could not be independently confirmed.
The meeting has attracted attention because it came amid the continuing dispute over the Kano Emirate and the state government’s recent restriction on Durbar processions and horse-riding activities in Kano metropolis.
The source also said Governor Yusuf personally escorted Rurum and Dan’agundi out of the Government House after the meeting and interacted with them in a friendly manner.
When contacted, Rurum neither confirmed nor denied the meeting. Instead, he asked: “Is it a crime for me to meet with my friend, my brother and my political leader?”
Dan’agundi also did not deny attending the meeting but refused to reveal what was discussed, describing it as a “family affair.”
He reportedly said there was nothing wrong with meeting his elder brother, younger brother and political leader.
As of the time of filing the report, neither Rurum nor Dan’agundi had disclosed the outcome of the meeting.
The development came days after the Kano State Government banned Durbar processions and horse-riding activities across the metropolis until further notice.
The government said the decision followed an emergency meeting of the State Security Council, which raised concerns about the large mobilisation of supporters and the possibility of clashes, deaths and destruction of property.
Security agencies were subsequently directed to enforce the order and take lawful action against anyone who violated it.
Meanwhile, reports that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II rode a horse despite the restriction have further drawn attention to the emirate dispute.
The circumstances surrounding the reported appearance and any official response remain unclear.
In a separate development, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Senior Counsellor to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, reportedly said supporters of the Bayero camp were waiting for the emir’s return before announcing plans for a horse-riding procession.
According to him, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero travelled for an official engagement and was expected back on Monday.
He said the Bayero camp would wait for the emir to return before deciding and announcing the date and time of a possible procession to Yakasai, where the emir is expected to attend a Qur’anic graduation ceremony.
Dan’agundi reportedly added that details of the arrangements would be made public after consultation with Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Gov Yusuf holds closed-door meeting with Rurum, Dan’agundi over Kano Emirate tension