The former Kano State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has expressed readiness to reconcile with the state’s incumbent governor, Abba Yusuf.
Kwankwaso made the disclosure during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, published on Sunday, while speaking about his strained political relationship with the governor.
Yusuf was elected governor of Kano State in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party and was previously regarded as a loyal member of the Kwankwasiyya political movement.
Their relationship, however, deteriorated after Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Congress and aligned with former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, a longtime political opponent of Kwankwaso.
Despite the political differences, Kwankwaso said he still holds Yusuf in high regard and would welcome reconciliation if the governor is willing.
He said, “I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him.”
Kwankwaso also described himself as a forgiving person, saying he had previously reconciled with political associates despite disagreements.
He cited his relationship with Ganduje, whom he said had opposed him politically on several occasions, as an example of his willingness to forgive.
According to him, Ganduje once worked with him at the Ministry of Defence as a special assistant but later participated in efforts to undermine his political ambitions.
Kwankwaso said, “Despite the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him, but he failed.”
The NDC leader said political relationships require tolerance because people have different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
He stated, “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.”
Kwankwaso added that he remained active in politics and did not seek to impose his decisions on others.
He said, “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.”
The former governor further claimed that his political endorsements were not based on financial inducements, insisting that candidates were not required to pay for the party’s support or tickets.
He said, “We don’t ask for a dime from each of them to get our endorsement and tickets; we don’t sell our candidature.”
