The annual festival was suspended because of the ill health of the Emir of Kano.

Sani Tukur

The Kano State emirate council Wednesday announced the suspension of the annual durbar activities marking the celebration of the Muslim festival of Eid-El Fitr.

The suspension of the event was announced by a Kano chief, Abbas Sanusi, at a press conference at the palace of the emir, Ado Bayero.

Mr. Sanusi said the council decided to suspend the celebrations due to the ill health of the emir.

The council urged Muslims to celebrate the ceremony, marking the end of the Ramadan, in peace and use the occasion to exchange visits with friends and relations.

Mr. Bayero returned to the country in July after visiting London for what palace sources described as routine medical check-up.

His prolonged stay in the London hospital fuelled rumours that he had passed on, but the emir returned to a rousing reception in Kano.

This is the second time that the traditional durbar activities marking the Eid-El Fitr celebration would be cancelled in Kano.

Last year, the state governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, announced the cancellation of Sallah activities, citing the ill-health of the emir.

Wednesday’s press confernce, where the announcement was made, was attended by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, who is the Dan Majen Kano.

The Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday, August 20 and 21, as public holidays for the celebration of Eid-El Fitr.