“How do you ban Sallah Durbar you have no power over?”, Kano questions CP

The Kano State Government has questioned the motivation behind the state Police Command’s ban on the traditional Durbar during this year’s Eid-el-Adha in Kano.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, in the state, on Saturday, said the Durbar was an integral part of Eid-el-Adha celebrations in Kano, and claimed that “some enemies of the state” were bent on causing a breakdown of law and order with a view to destroying the state.

Dederi, who spoke at a press conference, in his prepared speech entitled, “Who is Plotting to Cause Anarchy in Kano?”, accused the state Police Command of undermining the constitutional authority of the governor.

“Some people are dishing out instructions to security chiefs in the state so much that the state Commissioner of Police (CP), without any consultation with the State‘s Chief Officer, has issued an order banning Eid-el Kabir festivities in Kano State,” Dederi said.

Governor Abba Yusuf, according to the commissioner, got to hear of the ban through the media.

“Who is pushing the police commissioner to usurp the authority of the governor?” he wondered.

He accused the same CP of “consistently disobeying the legitimate instructions of the governor as chief security officer of the state.”

In his reaction however, Police Commissioner Ussain Gumel, said he has never disrespected the governor.

He described the Attorney General’s allegation of being disrespectful to the governor as unfounded.

“I mean well for Kano State and my actions speak louder than words,” he said.

Gumel said he banned the Sallah Durbar to sustain the peace in Kano.

“In this trying period, the police will enforce the existing court order and prevail on the two contending parties regarding the Kano emirate tussle.

“We urge them (emirs) to remain apart and respect the court order,” he said.

Gumel advised worshippers to conduct their normal Eid Prayers at the various designated praying grounds, as usually done.