Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has firmly dismissed rumours of a political rift with his mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, declaring that no force can drive a wedge between them.
Governor Yusuf made the declaration on Tuesday during a ceremony in Madobi to mark Kwankwaso’s 69th birthday, where he reaffirmed his complete loyalty to the former governor and the Kwankwasiyya movement.
“Those within and outside trying to create a quarrel between me and our leader, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will not succeed,” he told the gathering.
“We will continue to follow the legacy and principles of the Kwankwasiyya movement because Kwankwaso is a God-given leader.”
The governor offered prayers for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) national leader’s longevity and good health, describing him as a visionary whose leadership continues to shape Kano’s development trajectory.
Speculation about a possible power struggle between the two politicians has intensified in recent months following the emergence of a movement called ‘Abba Tsaya da Kafarka’ (Abba Stand on Your Feet).
The movement, reportedly championed by former Secretary to the State Government, Dr Baffa Bichi, and former Commissioner for Transport, Alhaji Salisu Digol, was said to be pushing for greater autonomy for Governor Yusuf’s administration.
Political observers had suggested that the development could strain the relationship between the governor and his political mentor, who played a crucial role in his rise to power.
However, Tuesday’s birthday celebration appears to have put such speculation to rest, with Governor Yusuf using the occasion to publicly reaffirm his commitment to the Kwankwasiyya political philosophy.
The Kwankwasiyya movement, which has dominated Kano politics for over a decade, is known for its emphasis on infrastructure development, education and grassroots mobilisation.
Senator Kwankwaso, who served as Kano governor from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015, remains one of the most influential politicians in northern Nigeria and currently leads the NNPP.
Governor Yusuf’s administration has largely been seen as a continuation of the Kwankwasiyya legacy, with policies closely mirroring those implemented during his mentor’s tenure.
