Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says he is willing to forgive and reconcile with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf despite their political differences.
Kwankwaso made the statement in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, where he discussed his strained relationship with Yusuf and his approach to political disagreements.
Yusuf, who was elected governor of Kano in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), was previously a prominent member of the Kwankwasiyya movement associated with Kwankwaso.
Their relationship later deteriorated after Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aligned with Abdullahi Ganduje, a former Kano governor and political rival of Kwankwaso.
Kwankwaso said he still had affection for Yusuf and would be open to reconciliation if the governor wanted it.
“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” he said.
He said he was not a vindictive person and had forgiven people who had wronged him, including Ganduje.
Kwankwaso recalled his past disagreements with Ganduje, including a 2007 incident when Ganduje was his special assistant at the Ministry of Defence.
He said despite their differences, he had supported Ganduje politically.
“Despite the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him but he failed,” Kwankwaso said.
The NDC candidate said political leadership requires patience, tolerance and an understanding that people have different backgrounds and perspectives.
“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.”
Kwankwaso also said he does not demand money from politicians in exchange for endorsements or political 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.
