Emir Bayero booed, Sanusi absent as Kwankwaso attends Abba Yusuf’s inauguration in Kano

Ganduje leaves N241.5b debt

The 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, was conspicuously absent at the Sani Abacha Stadium, yesterday, when Abba Kabiru Yusuf was inaugurated as 19th governor of the state.

Official invitation to the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor for the inauguration had raised hopes that the deposed monarch may be on his way to reinstatement.

Nevertheless, presidential candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and spiritual leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, attended, alongside Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and his Bichi Emirate counterpart, Nasiru Ado Bayero.

Yusuf, who defeated Yusuf Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the March 18 governorship election, officially took the oath of office, administered by Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Dije Aboki.

A near disaster was, however, averted during the event, which witnessed a mammoth crowd of supporters. As the new governor delivered his inaugural speech, the VIP podium partially collapsed, causing a disruption that lasted several minutes. There were no reports of serious injuries.

Sources said the podium, designed to accommodate not more than 30 persons, buckled under the weight of the large number of supporters. Earlier, before the incident, members of the Kwankwasiyya movement reportedly booed the Emir of Kano.

The Guardian learnt that pro-Sanusi youths, who had waited patiently to receive the deposed Emir, were riled by the presence of his successor. Before the swearing in ceremony, Yusuf had met with outgoing Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for a formal hand over of leadership.

Ganduje passed on a cumulative debt liability of N241.5 billion to the incoming government. The former governor also disclosed a cumulative N1.2 trillion receipt by his administration between 2015 and 2023.

Ganduje, who was represented by the former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, said his administration worked tirelessly to boost social and economic development of the state with legacy projects.

While responding, Yusuf said: “It is disheartening to receive a huge debt profile of over N241 trillion from the former governor at this period of economic hardship.

“Where do we source for fund to manage the government? And the record of internally generated revenue is nothing to reckon with, especially with the use of consultants. We would take time to study the scanty handover note and we would take action. If we are satisfied with it, we would take action. If not, we would take action.” Yusuf also faulted Ganduje’s hand over by proxy, saying the former governor had broken the age long tradition of transition in Kano.