Kwankwaso opens door to reconciliation with Yusuf

Former Kano State Governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed readiness to reconcile with Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, despite the political rift that emerged after the governor left their political camp.

Speaking in an interview aired by BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso said he still holds affection for Yusuf and would not reject him if he decided to return.

“I still love Abba and I didn’t reject him; he is the one who left. So not just Abba, if anyone who left comes back, I won’t be unforgiving,” Kwankwaso said.

The relationship between the two politicians deteriorated after Yusuf defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party, under which he won the 2023 governorship election, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, a move that sparked criticism from members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

However, Kwankwaso suggested that political disagreements should not permanently damage relationships, recalling his past political differences with former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

“Look at Ganduje, in the many years we worked together, we fell out several times and got back together. That is how politics works,” he said.

The former governor maintained that forgiveness and tolerance are essential qualities of leadership, stressing that people are entitled to different views and political choices.

“As a leader, you need to have an open heart. You cannot force people to think the way you do because we all come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives. Without forgiveness, we would not have come this far,” he added.

While noting that Yusuf was the one who chose to leave the movement, Kwankwaso reiterated that the door remains open for reconciliation, not only for the governor but for all former allies willing to return.

His remarks are likely to fuel speculation about a possible rapprochement between the two political figures ahead of future political realignments in Kano State.