Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State received a warm welcome from a large crowd upon his return to the North-West state on Sunday. The governor had been away due to a legal dispute over his position, leading to the Court of Appeal removing him as leader and declaring Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 2023 poll. Despite this, Governor Yusuf contested the decision, and the Supreme Court is yet to deliver its judgment.
Amidst the uncertainty, a significant number of supporters, adorned in the red attire associated with the Kwankwasiya movement, lined the streets to express solidarity with Governor Yusuf. They chanted songs, carried banners with messages like “Abba is our choice” and “Justice for Kano,” and accompanied the governor’s motorcade.
The event caused disruptions, leading to delays as Governor Abba’s convoy traveled from Malam Aminu Kano International Airport to Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kofar Mata. Supporters also shared videos and images on social media platforms, making “Kano is Red” a trending topic, referencing the Kwankwasiya movement’s signature color.
Governor Abba, upon reaching Sani Abacha Stadium, flagged off training for 2600 corporate security officers. This homecoming follows a November 13th verdict upheld by the court of appeals, affirming Gawuna as the duly elected governor after a tribunal nullified Yusuf’s victory in the March 18th gubernatorial election, citing a breach of electoral law due to the candidate not meeting the required legal qualifications.