Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has congratulated his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday, acknowledging his contributions to the state’s political development and infrastructure growth despite their recent political differences.
Yusuf’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The governor described the milestone as an opportunity to celebrate Kwankwaso’s life, leadership and years of public service in Kano State and Nigeria.
“This is a great milestone and an opportunity to celebrate Kwankwaso’s life, leadership and contributions to the development of Kano State and Nigeria,” Yusuf said.
He said the former governor’s birthday offered an opportunity to reflect on his years in public service and his contributions to governance and infrastructure development.
“I am also praying to Allah to grant Kwankwaso good health, long life and renewed strength to continue contributing to the development of the state and the country,” the governor added.
Kwankwaso, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, served as Kano State governor from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015. He also served as Minister of Defence between 2003 and 2007 and represented Kano Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 2015 to 2019.
Through the Kwankwasiyya movement, he built a strong political following in Kano and has remained an influential figure in the state’s political landscape.
Yusuf’s political relationship with Kwankwaso dates back more than four decades. He served as Kwankwaso’s personal aide before becoming one of his close political associates and later held the position of commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport during the former governor’s second tenure from 2011 to 2015.
Kwankwaso’s political backing was instrumental in Yusuf’s emergence as governor in the 2023 election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, with the governor drawing significant support from the Kwankwasiyya movement.
However, their relationship deteriorated in January 2026 when Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Congress, a move that attracted criticism from Kwankwaso and some of his supporters.
The defection marked a significant shift in Kano’s political landscape, given the longstanding association between the two politicians and Kwankwaso’s influence within the political movement that supported Yusuf’s election.
Despite the disagreement, Kwankwaso said in September that he remained open to reconciliation with Yusuf, insisting that he had not abandoned the governor.
Yusuf’s birthday message comes against this background of political differences, although the statement did not directly address the rift or announce any new development towards reconciliation.
The governor wished Kwankwaso more years of peace and happiness as he celebrated the milestone, while praying for his continued good health and strength.
West Trybe reports that Yusuf’s congratulatory message highlights the longstanding political relationship between the two Kano leaders, whose alliance helped shape the state’s political landscape before the governor’s defection to the APC. Whether the birthday gesture signals any change in their strained relationship remains unclear, but their political ties continue to attract attention in Kano.
