A SHOCKING collapse of the podium was part of the incidents that marred the inauguration of new Kano State governor Abba Yusuf, fondly called Abba Gida-Gida, on Monday, May 29.
A crowd of the Kwankwasiyyar movement, wearing the customised red cap of the group’s founder, former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, had stormed the inauguration venue in thousands to witness the event.
Shortly after Yusuf’s inaugural address, Premium Times reported that the podium where the VIPs sat caved in while the governor was returning to his seat. The incident resulted in chaos.
The governor could not supervise the ceremonial parade, which was billed to hold after his speech.
Youth booed the emirs of Kano and Bichi, Aminu Bayero and Nasiru Bayero, respectively, installed by the immediate past administration in the state headed by Abdullahi Ganduje while the chaos lasted.
Security officials struggled to rescue the emirs, who were trapped in the hands of the irate mob They pelted the emirs with sachet water and stones.
The ICIR reports that celebrations for the inauguration began across the state on Sunday, May 28.
The ICIR reporter saw many youths riding in tricycles and chanting ‘Abba Gida’, ‘Kwankwasiyar’, and ‘Kwankwaso’.
They wore the Kwankwasiyyar red cap, with several adults who engaged in other activities preparatory to the main event.
Yusuf won the governorship election conducted on March 18 by defeating the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Nasir Gawuna, and 16 other contestants.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the election winner, which took place across the state’s 44 Local Governments Areas.
According to the returning officer, Ahmad Dokko, Yusuf won the election with 1,019,602 votes, while Gawuna came second with 890,705.
The immediate past governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, failed to appear at the inauguration after disagreeing with Yusuf’s victory. He handed over official documents to the new government at the weekend.
Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2022. Contact him via email @ [email protected].