Huge Crowds Line Kano Streets to Welcome Abba Kabir Yusuf Home
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO — In a rare show of street credibility and grassroots appeal, hundreds of thousands of Abba Kabir Yusuf’s supporters thronged major streets across Kano on Saturday to welcome him back to the state after spending weeks away.
The massive public spectacle attracted men, women and youths who lined key routes leading into the city and stretched all the way to the Government House.
The carnival-like atmosphere brought the city to a standstill as the Central Business District was locked down.
It took the governor about five hours to make his way from the Aminu Kano International Airport to the Government House, as the surging but orderly crowd repeatedly halted his convoy, chanting slogans and waving in excitement to catch a glimpse of him.
Many residents shut down their businesses for the day, abandoning commercial activities to join the procession, while others stood outside their shops and homes, cheering as the governor’s convoy passed.
Governor Yusuf, dressed in a white flowing gown and a red cap, rode in an open van, intermittently acknowledging cheers from supporters who surged forward at various points along the route.
The festive mood was further heightened by music and entertainment, including the presence of a popular singer associated with the APC, Dauda Kahutu Rara whose open van moved close to that of the governor, energising the crowd.
Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the large turnout, forming human barricades and struggling at intervals to maintain order and ensure the safety of the governor amid the excitement.
Despite the pressure on security, the procession remained largely peaceful, with supporters displaying enthusiasm without any reported incidents of violence.