Kwankwaso Breaks Silence On Abba Yusuf Rift, Says He Is Ready To Forgive Him

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed his willingness to forgive and reconcile with Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, if the governor is also interested in restoring their relationship.

Kwankwaso made the remarks during an interview with BBC Hausa, amid the political differences that have strained his relationship with Yusuf. The Kano governor, who was elected in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a development that contributed to the deterioration of relations between the two politicians.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Kwankwaso maintained that he never abandoned Yusuf or asked him to leave the political movement, stressing that his personal feelings towards the governor had not changed despite their political disagreements.

“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” Kwankwaso said.

The former Kano State governor also described himself as someone who does not hold grudges, explaining that he has previously forgiven political associates with whom he had serious disagreements.

He cited his past relationship with former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, noting that their political differences did not prevent him from supporting Ganduje at various points in his political career.

Kwankwaso recalled that Ganduje served as his Special Assistant at the Ministry of Defence in 2007 and alleged that political meetings were subsequently held against him after he contested with some of those involved. Despite the disagreements, he said he later supported Ganduje’s political ambition.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate further stated that political leadership requires patience, compassion and an ability to accommodate people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

He stressed that he does not see himself as a leader who dictates how others must think or behave, arguing that individuals have different approaches because of differences in age, upbringing, education and personal experiences.

Kwankwaso therefore indicated that the door remains open to reconciliation with Yusuf, just as he said he had previously been willing to reconcile with other political figures after periods of disagreement.

He also maintained that political endorsements and tickets should not be treated as commodities, saying he and his political associates do not demand money from individuals seeking their support.