Former Kano State Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has opened the door to reconciliation with his estranged political ally, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Kwankwaso, who spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, said he still had affection for Yusuf despite the bitter political fallout that followed the governor’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress.
“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” Kwankwaso said.
Yusuf was once one of the strongest members of the Kwankwasiyya political movement and served as a close associate of Kwankwaso for years.
He became governor of Kano in 2023 on the NNPP platform with Kwankwaso’s backing, but their relationship deteriorated after Yusuf moved to the APC and aligned with former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Kwankwaso’s long-time political rival.
But in a dramatic softening of his position, Kwankwaso said he was willing to forgive and reconcile with Yusuf if the governor was ready to return.
The former governor said he was not a vindictive person, pointing to his own turbulent relationship with Ganduje as evidence that political disagreements could eventually be overcome.
Kwankwaso recalled how Ganduje, who was once his aide at the Ministry of Defence, had allegedly participated in moves against him.
He nevertheless said he later supported Ganduje politically, stressing that forgiveness was necessary in politics.
“How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions,” Kwankwaso said.
He added that despite their disagreements, he eventually backed Ganduje, saying, “In spite of the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him but he failed.”
Kwankwaso further urged politicians to exercise patience and show compassion, saying people should not be expected to think or behave exactly the same way.
“I’m not God. So, if Yusuf or whoever wishes to come, you need to have patience, have a large heart and compassion because not all will play along your line,” he said.
The latest statement could reopen political speculation around the once-close Kwankwaso-Yusuf relationship, which fractured after Yusuf’s move to the APC.
Kwankwaso, however, stressed that he remains active in politics and does not dictate to people how they should conduct themselves politically.
He also rejected the suggestion that his political endorsements or tickets were sold for money, saying he and his associates did not demand money from those seeking their support.
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