Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Wednesday night held a closed-door meeting with the member of the House of Representatives representing Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, and the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Dr Baffa Babba Dan’agundi, at the Kano State Government House.
The meeting, which reportedly lasted for nearly two hours, took place amid renewed tensions surrounding the Kano Emirate dispute and the recent government restriction on Durbar processions and horse-riding activities within the Kano metropolis.
A source who witnessed the development told Global Tracker that Rurum and Dan’agundi arrived at the Government House at about 10:30pm and proceeded directly to the Governor’s office, where they met with Governor Yusuf.
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The source said the specific issues discussed during the meeting could not be independently established.
However, the circumstances surrounding the meeting have generated speculation because of the continuing dispute over the Kano Emirate and the controversy surrounding traditional horse-riding activities.
The source said Governor Yusuf personally escorted Rurum and Dan’agundi out of the Government House after the meeting and interacted with them in what appeared to be a cordial atmosphere.
When contacted, Rurum neither confirmed nor denied the meeting, instead asking: “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 declined to disclose details of the discussion, 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 this report, neither Rurum nor Dan’agundi had disclosed the substance or outcome of the meeting.
The development comes days after the Kano State Government restricted all Durbar processions and horse-riding activities within the metropolis until further notice.
The restriction followed an emergency meeting of the State Security Council, which cited security concerns, including significant mobilisation of supporters and the possibility of confrontation, loss of lives and damage to property. Security agencies were directed to enforce the directive and take appropriate lawful action against violators.
Meanwhile, a separate horse-riding development has further fuelled public attention around the emirate dispute.
Reports circulated that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II rode a horse despite the state government’s restriction.
The reported development has raised questions over enforcement of the directive, although the circumstances surrounding the reported appearance and any official response to it remain subject to further clarification.
In a related development, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Senior Counsellor to the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, reportedly said supporters of the Bayero camp were awaiting the Emir’s return before announcing plans for his traditional horse-riding procession.
According to Dan’agundi, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero had travelled on an official engagement and was expected to return on Monday.
He said the Bayero camp would await the Emir’s return before determining and announcing the date and time of any planned procession to Yakasai, where the Emir is expected to attend a Qur’anic graduation ceremony.
Dan’agundi was also reported to have said the arrangements would be communicated to the public after consultation with Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
The latest developments have added another layer to the long-running Kano Emirate dispute, with the state government maintaining its security-based restriction while rival traditional camps continue to engage in activities around the emirate.
For now, the specific outcome of the reported meeting between Governor Yusuf, Rurum and Dan’agundi remains undisclosed.