The Kano Pillars faithful have given their backing to continuity, re-electing Rabiu Kawo as chairman of the club's official fans association in a vote held on Thursday in Kano.
Kawo's return to the top job was never in doubt. He stood unchallenged and received all 115 votes cast by the accredited delegates at the exercise, a clear statement of trust in his leadership from the grassroots of Sai Masu Gida support.
Shortly after the result was announced, the chairman thanked the delegates and laid out his priorities for the new term. "I will continue maintaining the club's reputation as one of the best-supporting fans clubs in Nigeria by building on the successes recorded by the club in the past," Kawo said, adding that he intends to unite members behind the team regardless of where they play.
The election drew the attention of key figures in Kano football. Shariff Ahlan, chairman of the Kano State Football Association, praised the fans club for the unity it has shown over the years and urged the incoming executives to be inclusive in their running of the body while continuing to pray for the team's fortunes.
Kano Pillars FC chairman Ahmad Musbahu-Garo and Technical Adviser Daniel Ogunmodede also weighed in, with both men stressing that whatever the team achieves on the pitch belongs just as much to the supporters. They called on fans to keep showing up for the Pillars home and away, promising that the club's technical and management teams remain focused on delivering results that make Kano proud.
That message of support will matter in the weeks ahead. Kano Pillars sit on a run of one win in their last three league outings, having drawn 1-1 away at Inter Lagos FC on Matchday 5 and then played out a goalless draw with Enyimba at home on Matchday 6. The team will be looking to the fans club's renewed energy to lift them when they host Sporting Lagos FC on Matchday 7 this Saturday, October 3, at home.
Beyond the chairmanship, several other positions were filled during Thursday's exercise. Hamza Fagge was elected Vice Chairman I, with Abubakar Ahmad taking the Vice Chairman II role. Abdullahi Yahaya becomes Secretary, assisted by Hassan Yahaya, while Auwalu Abdu was elected Treasurer.
Other new office holders include Kamalu Sunusi as Organising Secretary, Aminu Kyauta as P.R.O. I, Al-Ameen Yusif as P.R.O. II, Auwalu Dankawu as Financial Secretary, Auwalu Halliru as Auditor, and Ubale Saleh as Welfare Officer. The new executives now take charge of coordinating one of the most vocal and committed fan bases in Nigerian football, with the club counting on their support as the season progresses.