Kwankwaso Opens Door to Reconciliation With Kano Gov Yusuf

Former Kano State Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said he remains open to reconciling with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf despite the political differences between them.

Kwankwaso made his position known during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, where he spoke about his strained relationship with Yusuf and the political events that led to their fallout.

Yusuf became governor of Kano State in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party after receiving the backing of Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya political movement, which Kwankwaso leads.

Their relationship later became strained after Yusuf left the NNPP and joined the All Progressives Congress. His move also brought him closer politically to former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who has had longstanding political disagreements with Kwankwaso.

Despite the political split, Kwankwaso said he still has affection for Yusuf and would be willing to restore their relationship if the governor is also interested in reconciliation.

The former governor also described himself as someone who does not hold grudges against people who have wronged him. He referred to his past relationship with Ganduje as an example, recalling that the two had experienced political disagreements but that he later supported Ganduje’s political career.

Kwankwaso said political leaders should understand that people have different backgrounds, experiences, views and ways of making decisions. He argued that patience and compassion were necessary when dealing with political disagreements.

He also stated that he does not force people to follow his decisions, noting that individuals have the right to make their own political choices.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate further said his political support was not based on financial payments, maintaining that people seeking his endorsement or political backing were not required to pay him for it.

Kwankwaso’s comments come amid continued political realignments in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections. Yusuf’s movement from the NNPP to the APC has reshaped the political relationship between the governor and Kwankwaso, who has since joined the NDC ahead of the next election.

For now, Kwankwaso’s position leaves the possibility of reconciliation open, although any move to restore their political relationship would depend on both sides.