Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has opened the door to reconciliation with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, saying he still has affection for his former political ally.
Kwankwaso made the disclosure in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service published on Sunday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, while speaking about the strained relationship between him and Yusuf.
Yusuf, who became Kano governor in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party, was previously a prominent member of the Kwankwasiyya movement led by Kwankwaso.
The relationship between the two politicians later deteriorated after Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Congress and aligned with former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje, a long-standing political rival of Kwankwaso in the state.
Addressing the fallout, Kwankwaso said he remained open to reconciliation if Yusuf was willing to return to the relationship.
“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” he said.
Kwankwaso also described himself as a forgiving person, saying he does not hold grudges against those who have wronged him.
He cited his relationship with Ganduje as an example, recalling several disagreements between them and saying he nevertheless supported Ganduje despite their political differences.
“How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions.
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“In 2007, when we were in the Ministry of Defence, he was my special assistant, but they held meetings to bring me down because I contested them.
“Despite the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him, but he failed,” Kwankwaso said.
The NDC leader further said he does not impose his decisions on other people, stressing that he remains actively involved in politics.
“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.
“So, if I’m not forgiving, we will not put Ganduje forward; the situation is the same with Yusuf.
“We don’t ask for a dime from each of them to get our endorsement and tickets; we don’t sell our candidature,” Kwankwaso said.