Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has invited Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Senior Counsellor to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, to a closed-door meeting amid renewed tension surrounding the Kano Emirate dispute.
Dan’agundi was invited by Governor Yusuf to the meeting, which was held at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja and lasted nearly two hours, according to a source with direct knowledge of the development. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to publicly discuss the meeting.
According to the source, Dan’agundi arrived at the Governor’s Lodge following the invitation and was received before proceeding into a private meeting with Governor Yusuf. The source, however, did not disclose the specific issues discussed during the meeting.
The account of the meeting could not be independently corroborated with either Governor Yusuf or Dan’agundi. Efforts by our correspondent to reach Dan’agundi and officials of the Kano State Government by telephone to obtain further details were initially unsuccessful.
However, in a recent video shared on social media, Dan’agundi spoke about his relationship with Governor Abba, saying that he “has a lot of respect” for the Governor.
The development comes amid fresh developments in the Kano Emirate dispute, including the reported appearance of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II on horseback despite a restriction imposed by the Kano State Government and security agencies on horse-riding activities and traditional processions in the metropolis.
Dan’agundi had previously said the Bayero camp was waiting to see what action the state government would take following the reported breach of the restriction by Emir Sanusi. He also indicated that supporters of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero would await his return before announcing arrangements for a planned traditional horse-riding procession to Yakasai.
The latest meeting has attracted attention because of Dan’agundi’s position within the Bayero camp and the fact that the meeting was initiated by Governor Yusuf amid the continuing dispute over the Kano Emirate.