Former Kano State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso says he is willing to forgive and reconcile with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf despite their strained political relationship.
Kwankwaso made the comments in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service published on Sunday, as he addressed the fallout between himself and the Kano governor. (TheCable)
The relationship between the two men deteriorated after Mr Yusuf, who won the 2023 Kano governorship election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Yusuf had been a prominent figure in the Kwankwasiyya movement and had a long-standing political relationship with Mr Kwankwaso.
But in the BBC interview, Mr Kwankwaso said he had not abandoned or dismissed the governor and maintained that he still had affection for him.
“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” he said. (TheCable)
Mr Kwankwaso also described himself as someone who does not hold grudges, saying he had forgiven former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje despite their previous political disagreements.
He cited his past relationship with Mr Ganduje as an example of his willingness to forgive political opponents and work with them despite differences.
“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,” Mr Kwankwaso said. (TheCable)
The remarks represent a public indication from Mr Kwankwaso that the door remains open to repairing his relationship with Governor Yusuf.
There has, however, been no announcement of a formal reconciliation meeting or political agreement between the two men.
The Kano State government has separately indicated that it is also open to reconciliation, with Information Commissioner Ibrahim Waiya saying the state regards Mr Kwankwaso as a father figure.
