By  AbdulSalam Muhammad

THE change of baton in Kano was dramatic. Eight years ago it was Dr. Rabiu Kwankwanso who handed over the reins of government to Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau. Last Sunday Shekarau handed back the reins of power to his foremost political foe in the most ironic inauguration that took place across the country last Sunday.

The local populace have coined the phenomenon as ‘Hanu Karba Hanu Mayarwa’ (‘the hands that taketh gives it back’).

Kwankwaso arrived Government House with a retinue of aides, political associates and well wishers around 8.30am local time and was ushered into the Governor’s office where Shekarau and few of his loyal aides were waiting for the historic event.

Among those privileged to witness the handing over were the 1993 presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention, Alhaji Usman Basheer Tofa, the Action Congress of Nigeria senatorial candidate for Kano Central, Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammad, Ambassador Baraka Sani, Rep Farouk Lawan, Farouk Iya and the Alhaji Sani Lawan Kofar Mata until lately the soul of All Nigeria Peoples Party before his decamping to the PDP.

Remarkably, most of the commissioners who worked for Shekarau failed to show up at the ceremony as only four of the fourteen Malama Aisha Kiru (Health), Musa Salihu (Higher Education), Iliyasu Kwankwaso (Environment) and Ali Datti Yako (Local Government).

As proceedings commenced, Shekarau took the centre stage and for the very last time trumped his administration’s landmark achievements over the last 8 years.

As he spoke Kwankwaso enjoyed the fun and then came the moment all had been waiting for. To chants of Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar (God is great, God is Great)  and Hanu Karba Hanu Mayarwa (the hand that taketh, gives it back’), Shekarau moved towards Kwankwanso and formally handed over the mantle of leadership to his successor.

Kwankwaso in a speech shortly after the handing over declared that his incoming administration would ‘herald a new dawn in the improvement of life of the citizen’.

Dressed in a flowing gown with a red cap to match, Kwankwanso revealed that ‘I am happy to be back at Government house again’, pointing out that‘ I have to thank Shekarau for inviting me to come back in 2007, but unfortunately for one reason or the other, I could not make it’.

“But it is always better late than never, what is happening today  justified that God in his infinite mercy returned me to power and the success story is what we are witnessing today’

Following the ceremony, Kwankwaso drove in a convoy accompanied by many supporters to Sani Abacha stadium venue of the inauguration and swearing ceremony amidst chants of ‘Sai Kwankwaso, Sai Kwankwaso’.

The crowd in the stadium was unprecedented and his arrival was a succor for those already gasping for breadth in the over crowded stadium that was heavily secured by the police.

At about 11.00am, the Kano Chief Judge,  Justice Shehu Atiku administered the oath of office to the new Governor and his Deputy, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje to the admiration of the multitude at the venue.

Kwankwaso announced that Shekarau bequeathed the state an empty treasury with liabilities in range of  $209million foreign loan and over N77billion local debt.

Kwankwaso lamented that the debt profile is against over ‘N500billion accrued to state , over N500billon to the local Government Councils, and over a N58 generated from Internally Generated Revenue in the last 8 years’.

The new Governor declared that the era of exploiting religious biases to deceive unsuspecting members of the public is over, adding that Sharia implementations was never implemented to better the lot of ordinary citizens.

Kwankwaso recalled how his predecessor misapplied the Sharia legal system for selfish political reasons.

The new Governor pledged to implement people oriented programme that will elevate the status of their livelihood, adding that ‘I have done it before, I am back to consolidate on the past record.”

Kwankwaso therefore extended the olive branch to members of the opposition in the state, and stressed the need to work with him for the development of Kano.

The ceremony attended by the emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero also attracted a foremost Industrialist, Aminu Dantata, clerics, artisans and the down trodden.

The ceremony will certainly be remembered by its colour that reminded one of Eid day as expression of joy could be felt and smelt in the open. Kano has spoken and its up to Kwankwaso to justify the confidence reposed on him.