By Aminu Garko
Penultimate Sunday’s heroic return of the victorious Kano state Governor, Abba Yusuf into the ancient commercial city of Kano, two days after he was reinstated by the Supreme court was reminiscent of a wartime hero returning to a homeland after a major military expedition and conquests.
Indeed, Pundits expect nothing short of celebrations and Thanksgiving by millions of Kano residents after a miasma of huge political successes, in that for 7 months, Kano city dwellers, and its environs lived in perpetual fear over a suspected plot by perceived opposition to sack the incumbent governor of Kano state, Abba Kabir Yusuf who was enthroned by popular votes as numero uno during the March 17th governorship election through the judiciary.
Consequently, when the Apex Court finally ruled in favour of the city’s choice, preparations for the grand reception for a man that had enjoined massive support within and around was kick- started by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam.
In a special broadcast to the people of the state, Comrade Abdulsalam called on the city dwellers out, and pointedly requested all to pour into the streets to welcome home “our hero of democracy ” to the city.
Indeed the city dwellers, including those roadside settlements, and Kano ‘vassal states’ that lie within the stretch of the strategic Kano, – Zaria highway handsomely answered the call, and mobilized themselves to be part of history in a long tortuous carnival seen in recent days.
It was therefore not surprising when the governor who took off from Kaduna alongside his entourage by 9:00am on a historic journey back home was forced to stop by thousands of residents of Makarfi in solidarity with a Kano prince turned the executive governor of the Nigeria’s most populous state.
The cynosure of all eyes on the auspicious day was clad in Kwankwasiyya traditional outfit, a flowing white gown, and a red cap to match, acknowledged cheers of admirers on every spot down from Makarfi to Kwanar Dangora, a border local government area with Kaduna State where huge a crowd, but orderly supporters, signposted what to expect in villages and towns ahead of areas of dominance along the route.
Interestingly, in every spot, Governor Yusuf who travelled in an open black SUV jeep never failed to identify with his emergency host on his way to Kano reducing the journey to a snail speed to accommodate the exigencies.
Yusuf, beaming infectious smile all the way, his entrance to every spot was heralded by thunderous shouts of Allahu Akbar (God is Great) in an open acknowledgement that its God that saw the 61-year-old Kano born politician through the travails, and trenches of political dark alleys.
While the governor was coasting home in style amid pomp and pageantry, Kano city itself was agog with festivities, as residents, both the well to do, and the average families reportedly cooked food and distributed it freely to neighbours and the needy.
Expectantly, nearly all major streets were painted red. The old city gates wore a new look, as large images of the governor hung on strategic portion of the route.
Many others lined up the 38km route from Kura, and adjourning streets leading to Filin Mahaha, the venue of the grand victory rally.
It, however, took the new petrel of Kano politics three hours to cross over from Kwanar Dangora to Chiromawa, the official spot where hundreds of thousands of well wishers had massed to begin the final 40km roadshow to state the capital.
If the journey from Kaduna to Chiromawa was tasking, accessing the former Toll gate town was fun as supporters in various groups, began an endurance treck of 15km to Kura town. The journey was made easy by blast of assorted music from a mobile studio with a familiar political message in praise of Allah.
Like a military parade in honor of all conquering 3star General, there was heavy, and noticeable presence of local hunters, able body young men and women, and teenagers whose population was put at conservative estimates of 500, 000 on the train of the governor steady match to homeland.
As the governor approached the city, the intimidating crowd of supporters, well wishers on the streets become more pronounced looking as if everyone along the strategic corridor are out on the street. The journey through Kura to Karfi, Gada Tambura, Kwanar Dawakin Kudu to 7up General area, down to Naibawa flyover by the Western, and Eastern bypass reduced the immediate past experience to ordinary.
Yusuf train arrived Naibawa flyover by the Western, and Eastern bypass 4:00pm outskirt of the metropolis was welcomed by sea of head, enthusiastic supporters, onlookers, and the bystanders. As usual, he waved to acknowledge cheers, it certainly occured to everyone that the final journey to Fillin Mahaha located within an expanse of land between Kofar Naisa, and Sharada General area has just begun.
A Kwankwassiya die hard supporter who identified himself as Usman, aka Dogon Merci Kapenta was sighted with his 5 year old female twins dressed in red and white regalia .
He said “We came to rejoice and show solidarity with Abba Gida Gida over his victory in the Supreme Court.”
When finally, the prince of Kano politics arrived Fillin Mahaha with a capacity of 10 size Olympic stadium by 10:00pm, the mammoth crowd ruptured in celebration, as ecstatic crowd sing and dance to “Ga Abban kanawa, Ga Abba Kanawa” to herald him to the ground.
The chief Host, who doubled as the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo in his remark said, Yusuf’s administration would end thuggery, drug abuse, phone snatching and better the lives of the citizenry.
When Abba Kabir Yusuf the microphone to addressed the crowd, he expressed his gratitude to everyone, including those who could not made it to the arena.
He said “We will not let you down. Our doors are open. We will deliver on the dividends of democracy in the areas of education, health, and human empowerment among others.”
