RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, says he remains willing to reconcile with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf despite their political differences.
Mr Kwankwaso, a former Kano governor, spoke in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Sunday while discussing his strained relationship with the incumbent governor.
Mr Yusuf was elected governor of Kano in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and was previously associated with Mr Kwankwaso’s Kwankwasiyya political movement.
Their relationship later deteriorated after Mr Yusuf moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), aligning politically with former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje, a long-time political rival of Mr Kwankwaso.
Despite the disagreement, Mr Kwankwaso said he had no personal animosity towards Mr Yusuf and would welcome an opportunity for reconciliation.
“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” he said.
The former governor also described himself as someone who was willing to forgive political associates who had wronged him.
He cited his relationship with Mr Ganduje as an example, recalling disagreements between them dating back to their time at the Ministry of Defence.
“How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions,” Mr Kwankwaso said.
He recalled that Mr Ganduje had served as his special assistant in 2007 but later participated in efforts to oppose him politically.
“In spite of the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him but he failed,” he said.
‘I’m not God’
Mr Kwankwaso said political leaders should understand that people have different backgrounds, opinions and approaches to political affairs.
“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 forgive had also influenced 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.
Mr Kwankwaso also said his political organisation did not demand money from aspirants in exchange for endorsements or 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.
