The fight for Kano's emirship continued last week when the two men fighting for the post, Aminu Bayero and Lamido Sanusi, made public appearances outside their palaces for the first time since the crisis began.
The reinstated Emir, Mr Sanusi, on Thursday attended the distribution of fertilisers to small farmers organised by the state government at the Government House. On the other hand, the deposed Mr Ado-Bayero on Saturday participated in the annual closing prayer for peace and stability organised by the Tijjaniyya Muslim leaders at the residence of Isyaku Rabiu in Goron Dutse.
Mr Sanusi's motorcade passed through the Kofar Nassarawa area, where the small palace where Mr Bayero is staying is located. He attended the event held at the Government House, hosted by Governor Abba Yusuf. Residents greeted him as he passed through the area.
On Saturday, Mr Bayero left his small palatial residence and motorcaded along Audu Bako Way, Central Hotel, Club Road roundabout, Murtala Mohammed Way, the former Triumph newspaper office, Gwammaja and Mambayya House to the event venue at Goron Dutse.
After the event, the deposed emir returned to the mini palace using a different route: Aminu Kano Road (Kofar Gadon Kaya), BUK Road and Kofar Nassarawa Flyover.
Video captured the deposed emir's movements as residents and supporters warmly welcomed him at the event site and lined his way to and from the venue. Bayero was protected by palace guards and federal security agents.
The development caused a stir, with residents and supporters commenting.
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“Today I understood the situation in the emiralship dispute,” said a resident, Lawal Garba. “I never thought it would reach this level. When I saw Aminu Ado-Bayero’s movement in the Gwammaja area, I had to park my motorcycle to see the enthusiasm of the people.”
Other residents who witnessed the movement described how it caused traffic jams on the roads along which the deposed emir's motorcade passed.
The crisis
The state government reinstated Sanusi on May 24, a day after Bayero was removed from office.
Mr. Bayero is challenging his dismissal before the Federal High Court, which has ordered the parties involved in the crisis to maintain the status quo until the Court of Appeal rules on a challenge to the court's jurisdiction over the matter.
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Meanwhile, the State High Court has ordered Mr Bayero and the others removed as emirs of Gaya, Karaye, Rano and Bichi to stop impersonating them.
Governor Yusuf on May 23 gave his assent to a law repealing the Kano Emirate Council Act 2019 that allowed former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to create the emirates of Gaya, Karaye, Rano and Bichi.
Last week, the governor restored Gaya, Karaye and Rano as second-class emirates and appointed emirs for them.