Thousands of residents thronged major streets in Kano on Saturday to welcome Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in a massive show of support, as the state’s political atmosphere continues to shift following the recent defection of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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From Aminu Kano International Airport through Kofar Wambai and Kwari to the Government House axis, large crowds lined the roads for hours, waving party flags and chanting solidarity songs as the governor’s convoy passed through the ancient city.
From Aminu Kano International Airport through Kofar Wambai and Kwari to the Government House axis, large crowds lined the roads for hours, waving party flags and chanting solidarity songs as the governor’s convoy passed through the ancient city.
Eyewitnesses described the reception as one of the most visible public mobilisations in Kano in recent months, turning major routes into a festive scene as supporters cheered the governor’s arrival.
The public show of support comes at a delicate moment in Kano’s political landscape following Kwankwaso’s exit from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ADC, a development widely viewed as a significant realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso, leader of the influential Kwankwasiyya movement and a dominant figure in Kano politics for decades, had been a central pillar of the NNPP’s political structure in the state. His decision to move to the ADC and urge supporters to follow has triggered fresh political calculations among stakeholders.
The shift comes months after Governor Yusuf himself left the NNPP to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further reshaping alliances in one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic states.
Saturday’s crowd turnout is therefore being interpreted by political observers as a demonstration of strength by the governor and his supporters amid the unfolding political contest.
Several residents who spoke with journalists said they joined the roadside reception to express solidarity with the governor.
“We are here to show that Kano people stand with their governor. Politics may change, but leadership is about service,” said a youth leader in Gwale.
Traders, students, women’s groups and party loyalists were seen cheering and waving as the convoy passed, while security personnel monitored the procession to ensure order.
Analysts say the development reflects a growing struggle for influence among emerging political blocs in Kano.
“Kano’s political equation has clearly shifted after Kwankwaso’s defection,” a Kano-based political analyst said. “But the turnout today suggests Governor Yusuf still commands significant grassroots support.”
Kano remains one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states, with a large voter population and a long history of shaping national electoral outcome.
