Kwankwaso Says He Can Forgive and Reconcile with Abba Yusuf

Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said he is willing to forgive and reconcile with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, despite their strained political relationship.

Kwankwaso made the remarks in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, where he discussed his relationship with the governor and other political figures in Kano.

Yusuf, who was elected governor in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), was previously a strong supporter of the Kwankwasiyya movement. Their relationship later deteriorated after Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aligned with former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, whom Kwankwaso has regarded as a major political rival.

Kwankwaso said he still had affection for Yusuf and would be willing to reconcile with him if Yusuf was willing.

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

He also said he was not a vengeful person and had forgiven people who had wronged him, including Ganduje.

Kwankwaso recalled that Ganduje had challenged him politically on several occasions, including during their time in the Ministry of Defence in 2007, when Ganduje served as his special assistant.

Despite their disagreements, Kwankwaso said he later supported Ganduje politically and backed him for governor, although he said Ganduje eventually failed to win at that time.

The former Kano governor said leaders should not expect everyone to think or act exactly as they do, stressing the importance of patience, compassion and forgiveness.

“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.

Kwankwaso added that he remained active in politics and did not dictate to people what they should do.

He also said he did not demand money from politicians in exchange for endorsement or political tickets, insisting that his political support was not for sale.