Kwankwaso Opens Door to Reconciliation With Kano Governor Abba Yusuf

Former Kano State governor and NDC Vice-Presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has said he is open to reconciling with Governor Abba Yusuf, despite the political differences that have strained their relationship.

Kwankwaso made the disclosure during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, in which he spoke about his relationship with the Kano governor.

Yusuf, who was elected governor in 2023 on the NNPP platform, had been closely associated with Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement before later defecting to the APC.

The defection was followed by a political fallout between Yusuf and Kwankwaso, particularly after the Kano governor aligned with former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, a long-standing political rival of Kwankwaso.

Despite the disagreement, Kwankwaso said his relationship with Yusuf could still be repaired, stressing that he had not abandoned the governor.

“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” he said.

Kwankwaso said he was not a vindictive person and maintained that he was willing to forgive those with whom he had political disagreements.

He recalled his past differences with Ganduje, saying the former governor had challenged him on several occasions.

“How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions.

“In 2007, when we were in the ministry of defence, he was my special assistant (SA), but they held meetings to bring me down because I contested with them.

“In spite of the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him but he failed,” he said.

According to Kwankwaso, political leaders cannot expect everyone around them to share the same views or follow the same path. He said differences in background, age and education can influence how individuals make decisions.

“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.

“You don’t expect everybody to act, behave or think like you do, because everyone has his way of reasoning, age, background and educational qualifications.”

He said his willingness to forgive was also reflected in his handling of his relationship with Ganduje and could similarly apply to Yusuf.

“So, if I’m not forgiving, we will not put Ganduje forward; the situation is the same with Yusuf.”

Kwankwaso further maintained that his political movement does not demand money in exchange for endorsements or tickets.

“We don’t ask for a dime from each of them to get our endorsement and tickets; we don’t sell our candidature,” he added.

Africans Angle News