The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has expressed readiness to reconcile with the incumbent Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Kwankwaso made the statement during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service published on Sunday, where he discussed his strained relationship with the governor.
Yusuf was elected governor in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party and was previously a strong supporter of the Kwankwasiyya movement, which is associated with Kwankwaso and his political followers.
However, the relationship between the two politicians deteriorated after Yusuf moved to the All Progressives Congress and aligned himself with former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who has been a major political opponent of Kwankwaso in the state.
Speaking during the BBC interview, Kwankwaso said he still holds Yusuf in high regard and would be prepared to make peace with him if the governor is willing.
“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 someone who does not hold grudges, saying he has a history of forgiving people who have wronged him.
He cited his relationship with Ganduje, saying he had forgiven the former governor despite their previous political disagreements.
“How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions.
“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 said he does not impose decisions on others, stressing that he remains actively involved in politics rather than operating from the sidelines.
“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.
