Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has expressed willingness to reconcile with Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf despite their ongoing political differences.
Kwankwaso made the remarks in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service published on Sunday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He addressed the frosty relationship that developed after Governor Yusuf defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the platform on which he won the 2023 governorship election to the All Progressives Congress (APC), aligning with former Kano Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, a long-time political rival of Kwankwaso.
“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him; I still like him,” Kwankwaso stated. He emphasised that he remains open to reconciliation if the governor so wishes, describing himself as a non-vengeful person who always forgives those who wrong him.
The former Kano State governor cited his past relationship with Ganduje as evidence of his capacity for forgiveness, noting that the two had fallen out multiple times over the years yet found ways to work together again. “How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions,” he said, adding that politics often involves such shifts and reconciliations.
Yusuf was a prominent member of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and a close associate of Kwankwaso before the defection strained their ties. Kwankwaso maintained that he still holds deep affection for the governor and would not reject anyone who chooses to return to the fold.
The overture comes amid continuing political realignments in Kano State and speculation about alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso, who previously served as Kano governor and was Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election under the NDC, stressed the importance of patience, compassion and understanding in leadership.