Emir Bayero’s Durbar Delight vs. Sanusi’s Palace Jamboree: A Kano Comedy of Errors! -By John Egbeazien Oshodi

In the heart of Nigeria, where the rhythm of tradition dances to the beat of modernity, the ancient city of Kano is alive with a drama that is as captivating as it is comical. At the center of this unfolding tale is the dethroned Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, a figure whose love for the spotlight is as enduring as his belief in his rightful place at the helm of Kano’s royal affairs.

From his vantage point in the second Emir’s house, Bayero, with the flair of a seasoned showman, has issued an invitation that has set the city abuzz. His plan to host a Sallah Durbar that outshines any that have come before is a declaration of his unyielding spirit and a testament to his refusal to be forgotten. It is a spectacle that promises to be more dazzling than the brightest lights of Lagos, a celebration that aims to remind Kano, and indeed all of Nigeria, of his enduring presence.

Yet, tradition, that stern taskmaster, reminds us that the Sallah festivities are the sole domain of the reigning emir. Has Bayero, in his boundless ambition, overlooked this cardinal rule, or is he on the cusp of redefining the very essence of Kano’s royal customs? “The Dethroned Emir’s Durbar Extravaganza!” – a title that could light up the marquee of any grand Nigerian event, a spectacle that is as audacious as it is entertaining.

The stage is set for a showdown that could rival the most dramatic of Nollywood plots. On one side, Bayero, with the confidence of a man who has always played to a full house. On the other, the 16th Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, a figure whose claim to the throne is bolstered by the support of the government. The tension is palpable, a high-stakes game of royal one-upmanship that has the nation on the edge of its seat.

The district heads, those noble yet perplexed figures caught in the crossfire of this regal battle, find themselves at a crossroads. Their loyalty is torn between Bayero’s charismatic appeal and the practical reality of aligning with Sanusi and the government. It is a choice as difficult as deciding between the sweet allure of puff-puff and the savory embrace of chin-chin at a party.

As the people of Kano and Nigeria watch with bated breath, the drama intensifies. The Deputy Governor’s call for intervention adds a new layer of intrigue, a plea for order in a narrative that thrives on chaos. The question on everyone’s lips: Will Bayero’s durbar delight take center stage, or will Sanusi’s palace jamboree claim the spotlight?

This is a story that resonates beyond the walls of Kano, a narrative that captures the essence of Nigeria – a blend of tradition, ambition, and the unbreakable spirit of a people who know that laughter is the ultimate sovereign. In the grand theater of Kano’s royal saga, the show is not just going on – it’s becoming a masterclass in comedic timing and unexpected twists.

In the solitude of the second Emir’s house, Bayero, undaunted by the defection of his former allies, holds court with his unwavering optimism. Like a trader awaiting the perfect market conditions, he clings to the hope that the courts will ultimately vindicate him, restoring him to his rightful place in the annals of Kano’s history.

But as the days stretch into weeks, and the weeks threaten to merge into months, Bayero’s isolation is punctuated only by the sound of his own chuckles, a laughter that mocks the absurdity of his predicament. In a moment of comic desperation, he envisions dispatching a search party, not for the district heads who have deserted him, but for the elusive court ruling that seems as distant as the end of a Lagos dry season.

“Soldiers, assemble!” he muses, with the grandeur of a general preparing for battle. “We march forth to reclaim our honor from the depths of bureaucratic delay!” But alas, the security forces, much like the district heads, are likely enjoying the revelries at Sanusi’s palace, savoring the delicacies and the camaraderie.
Thus, Bayero remains, a solitary figure in a house that echoes with the silence of waiting. He is a man out of time, a dethroned emir whose faith in the future is as steadfast as his love for the traditions of the past. In the grand circus of Kano’s royal saga, Bayero’s story is a comedic tragedy, a tale of resilience and humor in the face of adversity.

As the sun sets on another day in Kano, the people of Nigeria continue to watch this unfolding drama, a story that is as Nigerian as it is universal, a celebration of the human spirit’s ability to find laughter even in the most regal of follies. And so, the curtain remains open on this Kano comedy of errors, a play that is as entertaining as it is enlightening, a reminder that in Nigeria, the show must always go on, one laugh at a time.

John Egbeazien Oshodi

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at Weldios University, Nexus International University, and Walden University. John.Oshodi@mail.waldenu.edu