Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf said on Monday that the trials and turbulence he faced following the 2023 general elections have strengthened his resolve to transform the state for the benefit of its residents.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Shura Council at Government House in Kano, Governor Yusuf reflected on the challenges that accompanied his election victory, describing the period as the most difficult of his life.
“I faced the most difficult challenges of my life after the 2023 elections. But through those challenges and tears, I remain committed to the service of Kano. I am still here because of God, not because of any individual,” he said, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
Governor Yusuf acknowledged that while some had doubted his political future, divine providence played a role in his rise to office. “Leadership is never in the hands of man. God installs and removes leaders as He wishes,” he said, adding that only God can determine his fate in the 2027 elections.
He emphasized that effective leadership should prioritize initiatives that benefit the people rather than personal political ambitions. “Whether I seek re-election or not, my duty is to keep delivering meaningful programmes that will benefit the electorate,” Governor Yusuf said.
Recognizing the inevitability of leaving office, he said, “I know that one day I will vacate this seat. That is why I am doing my best now to transform Kano physically, socially, and morally.”
The governor also addressed pressing social challenges, particularly among the youth, citing issues such as drug abuse and thuggery. He announced plans to establish a new reformatory institution for women aimed at rehabilitating victims of social vices.
Appealing to religious leaders to support the government’s reform initiatives, he said, “You are the only institution the people listen to with open ears.”
Despite the hardships of his political journey, Governor Yusuf reassured citizens that his commitment to Kano’s development remains unwavering. “Challenges may come, tears may fall, but my commitment to the transformation of Kano is stronger than ever,” he said.