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Former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has said he is willing to forgive and reconcile with Governor Abba Yusuf, despite the political differences that have strained their relationship.
Kwankwaso, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), made the disclosure in an interview with BBC Hausa Service published on Sunday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Yusuf, who won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), was a prominent member of the Kwankwasiyya political movement before later defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development deepened the political rift between Yusuf and Kwankwaso, who has been a major political figure in Kano and a former governor of the state.
Speaking on the relationship, Kwankwaso said he still had affection for Yusuf and had not been responsible for the breakdown between them.
“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” he said.
Kwankwaso said he was not a vindictive person and had previously forgiven political associates with whom he had disagreements, citing his relationship with former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
“How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions,” Kwankwaso said.
He recalled that Ganduje was his special assistant at the Ministry of Defence in 2007 and alleged that meetings were held to undermine him after he contested against his political associates. Kwankwaso, however, said he later supported Ganduje despite their differences.
“In spite of the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him but he failed,” he said.
Kwankwaso said political leadership required patience and understanding, adding that he could not dictate how other people should think or behave.
“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,” he said.
He added: “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 also said he did not demand money from politicians seeking his endorsement, insisting, “We don’t ask for a dime from each of them to get our endorsement and tickets; we don’t sell our candidature.”
