Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State was warmly received by a large crowd on Sunday upon his return to the North-West state. The governor had been away due to a legal dispute over his position. The Court of Appeal had removed him from office and declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 2023 election. However, Governor Yusuf challenged this decision and the Supreme Court is currently reviewing the case.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, a massive crowd gathered on Sunday to welcome Governor Abba back. Supporters, dressed in the iconic red attire of the Kwankwasiya movement, chanted solidarity songs to show their support for the leader who came to power under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Many carried banners and posters with messages such as “Abba is our Choice” and “Justice for Kano” as they accompanied the governor’s motorcade.
This enthusiastic reception caused significant disruptions in the area, as it took hours for Governor Abba to travel from the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport to the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kofar Mata.
On social media, supporters shared videos and images of the governor’s homecoming. “Kano is Red,” referring to the color of the Kwankwasiya movement, became a major trend for the day.
Governor Abba visited the Sani Abacha Stadium to kick off the training of 2,600 corporate security officers.
His return comes weeks after the Court of Appeal upheld the tribunal’s verdict on November 13. The Appeal Court agreed with the tribunal’s ruling that Abba’s candidacy violated the Electoral Law, as he was not eligible to contest the election.
In September, the tribunal nullified Governor Yusuf’s victory in the March 18 governorship election and confirmed Gawuna as the duly elected governor of Kano.
