The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who is also laying claim to the throne, on Friday held parallel Eid prayers in Kano, the state capital.
At about 8:15 am, Sanusi led thousands of worshippers at the Kofar Mata Eid ground, where the state Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, represented Governor Abba Yusuf, who is performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
It was observed that Sanusi arrived on foot and was accompanied by a crowd of supporters.
He also returned on foot after the prayer, walking through the streets to Gidan Shettima.
The streets around Kofar Mata, Mandawari, and Wambai were filled with Kano residents in festive attire, exchanging greetings and celebrating in the absence of the Durbar procession.
“It’s not the Durbar that makes Sallah special for us. What matters is the unity and faith. Seeing Sanusi walk among the people today meant everything to us,” said Saminu Yusuf, a resident of Dala.
Gwarzo, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Shuaibu, urged Muslims to use the festive period for sober reflection, prayer, and the promotion of peace, unity, and tolerance.
He noted that Eid-el-Kabir represents “sacrifice, obedience, and total submission to the will of Allah.”
Gwarzo also offered prayers for the safe return of Kano pilgrims from Saudi Arabia and reassured the public of the state government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and development-focused policies.
In a separate programme, Ado Bayero led a parallel Eid prayer at 8:00 am at the Nasarawa Mini Palace, located along State Road in the Nasarawa GRA.
The gathering was equally massive and attended by top chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, including the state Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, and former commissioners in the state.
In his Sallah message, Bayero called on the government to focus on delivering infrastructure and social development to the people.
“We call on the government to continue bringing development projects to the people,” he said in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Abubakar Balarabe.
He also prayed for peace, security, and good health for citizens, just as he urged religious scholars and Imams to continue shaping the minds of the youth through their sermons and teachings.