Activities in the once booming Palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi 11 have reduced to the lowest ebb following the creation of four additional Emirates of Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The Palace was agog last Sunday when the Emir returned from Lesser Hajj with thousands of supporters welcoming him at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

They followed his long convoy, which moved straight to the Palace from Kano airport, chanting Sarki Mai Martaba which means long live His Royal Highness.

When our reporter visited the Palace on Tuesday morning, the atmosphere appeared gloomy.

The usual hustling and bustling of visitors and huge human and vehicular traffic was no longer there.

Only very few workers in the Palace were seen discussing the latest development in the Kano Emirate with hush tones.

A palace guard, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, confirmed the Emir has chosen to keep to himself since he returned from Saudi Arabia.

He said: “His Highness has remained speechless since he returned from Saudi Arabia. He only attends to few visitors. So many journalists have come here to interview him but he politely declined from granting any interview.

“He has always remained indoors. In fact, there was a crucial meeting with all his Council members on Monday but I cannot tell you the outcome because all of them left the Palace without saying a word immediately after the meeting.

“This creation of additional Emirates has seriously affected activities in the Palace and I can confirm to you that the Emir is not comfortable with what happened.”

According to the source, the greater percentages of the Palace guards have left Kano to other Emirates, particularly Bichi headed by Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.

The source added: “You are aware that the Emir of Bichi is an amiable and easy-going king with the antecedent of his late father.

“So many palace guards prefer working with him because he is an open minded person.”