Hussaini Ibrahim Kafi in Kano
The relocation of the wedding of Maryam Nasir Ado Bayero, daughter of the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano, to Jibrin Barau I Jibrin, son of the Deputy President of the Senate, from Kano to Abuja has ignited speculation and controversy. This development, furthermore, is intertwined with the ongoing political tensions in Kano State. These tensions involve factions loyal to the Kwankwasiyya movement of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) under its National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and the deepening Emirship tussle in the state.
To clarify the situation, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano and chairman of the bride’s organizing committee, issued an official statement. According to him, the decision to relocate the wedding, slated for December 13, 2024, was purely a family decision. He outrightly dismissed speculation linking the change of venue to political or legislative issues, particularly the controversial Tax Reform Bills.
“The relocation to Abuja was made weeks ago to ensure convenience for dignitaries attending from across Nigeria and abroad,” the statement read. Moreover, it stressed that the bride’s family, in keeping with tradition, had the sole prerogative to choose the venue, rejecting any politicization of the decision.
On the other hand, contrasting the family’s explanation, reports suggest that the decision was influenced by escalating political and social tensions in Kano. For instance, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has faced backlash from angry Arewa youth, who recently issued threats banning him and other perceived “unpatriotic” leaders from entering Northern states. To emphasize their discontent, the youth group reportedly promised to pelt Barau with stones if he set foot in Kano.
This unrest, significantly, is linked to broader dissatisfaction with political elites in the region and recent controversies surrounding Barau’s legislative actions, including his stance on the Tax Reform Bills. Consequently, to avert potential violence and ensure the safety of high-profile guests, the wedding venue was reportedly shifted to Abuja.
When viewed in a broader context, the wedding relocation cannot be seen in isolation from the political crises engulfing Kano. For example, the rivalry between the NNPP’s Kwankwasiyya faction, led by Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the APC faction under Abdullahi Ganduje has polarized the state. Adding to this, the recent Emirship dispute, which saw the fragmentation of the Kano Emirate into multiple emirates under Ganduje’s administration, further deepened political and cultural divides.
Furthermore, the Bayero family’s close ties to the traditional institution, alongside Barau Jibrin’s alignment with the APC and Ganduje’s camp, have placed them at the center of these power struggles. In addition, the Kwankwasiyya movement’s grassroots support in Kano adds another layer of complexity, as political loyalties shape public perception of events like this high-profile wedding.
Meanwhile, the anger of Arewa youths reflects broader frustrations with governance in the region. The threats against Barau Jibrin, in particular, underscore a growing disconnect between Northern elites and the youth population. Economic hardships, coupled with perceptions of elitism and self-serving leadership, have fueled this animosity.
Additionally, the youth movement’s actions are also a manifestation of a deeper struggle for identity and representation in Northern politics, which has become increasingly fragmented along ideological and factional lines.
On another note, the Bayero family’s plea to avoid politicizing the wedding underscores the growing challenges of navigating personal and cultural events in a highly charged political environment. The family, importantly, emphasized that marriage is a sacred institution in Islam, urging respect for its sanctity.
However, in a region where traditional and political institutions are deeply intertwined, such events are rarely insulated from the socio-political landscape. As a result, the relocation of the wedding has inevitably become a symbol of the state’s broader struggles with security, governance, and unity.
In conclusion, the relocation of Maryam Ado Bayero and Jibrin Barau I Jibrin’s wedding from Kano to Abuja is emblematic of the broader crises facing Kano State. It highlights the intersection of cultural traditions, political rivalries, and social unrest, which continue to shape the state’s trajectory.
Ultimately, the unfolding political drama between the NNPP’s Kwankwasiyya faction and the APC, compounded by the lingering Emirship disputes and youth dissatisfaction, signals a need for reconciliation and dialogue. Without efforts to address these underlying issues, such controversies will continue to reflect the broader instability in Kano and the Northern region as a whole.
