Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says he is willing to reconcile with Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano.
According to NAN, Kwankwaso spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa Service published on Sunday, where he addressed issues bordering on his frosty relationship with the Kano governor.
Yusuf, who won his election in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), used to be a staunch supporter of the Kwankwasiyya movement, a group of Kwankwaso supporters.
However, their relationship turned sour after the governor defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pitching his tent with Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor of Kano regarded as Kwankwaso’s major political rival in the state.
During the BBC interview, Kwankwaso said he still has deep affection for Yusuf and can reconcile with him if he so wishes.
“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” he said.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano, said he was not a vengeful person and always forgives those who wrong him.
He said he forgave Ganduje, former governor of the state, despite several wrongdoings meted out to him.
“How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions,” Kwankwaso said.
“In 2007, when we were in the ministry of defence, he was my special assistant (SA), but they held meetings to bring me down because I contested with them.
“In spite of the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him but he failed.”
Kwankwaso said as a leader, he does not dictate or direct people on what to do, adding that he is still in politics and not an armchair politician.
“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.
“So, if I’m not forgiving, we will not put Ganduje forward; the situation is the same with Yusuf.
“We don’t ask for a dime from each of them to get our endorsement and tickets; we don’t sell our candidature.”