Former Kano State governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said he is willing to forgive and reconcile with Governor Abba Yusuf despite their political differences.
Kwankwaso made the remarks in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, which he shared on his verified social media account, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The relationship between the two politicians became strained after Yusuf, who won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, later defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Yusuf had been closely associated with Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement and served as his aide for several years.
Speaking about their relationship, Kwankwaso said he did not abandon Yusuf or ask him to leave the movement, adding that he still had affection for the governor.
“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” he said.
Kwankwaso, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, said he was not a vindictive person and had forgiven people who had previously disagreed with him.
He cited his relationship with former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, as an example.
“How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions,” Kwankwaso said.
He recalled that Ganduje served as his Special Assistant at the Ministry of Defence in 2007 and alleged that meetings were held to work against him after he contested with them.
“In spite of the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him but he failed,” he said.
Kwankwaso said political leaders should have patience, compassion and an open mind because people have different backgrounds, ages, educational qualifications and ways of reasoning.
“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.
“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.”
He said his willingness to reconcile with Yusuf was consistent with his approach to political relationships.
“So, if I’m not forgiving, we will not put Ganduje forward, the situation is the same with Yusuf,” he said.
Kwankwaso also maintained that he did not demand money from politicians seeking his endorsement or party tickets.
“We don’t ask for a dime from each of them to get our endorsement and tickets; we don’t sell our candidature,” he said.
