Kwankwaso Says He Is Ready to Forgive and Reconcile With Governor Yusuf

Former Kano State Governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, says he remains willing to forgive Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and reconcile with him despite their political differences.

Kwankwaso said his personal affection for Yusuf had not changed, describing the governor as someone with whom he had shared a long political relationship. The comments come after months of tensions between the two politicians.

The former governor said he did not abandon Yusuf and had not asked him to leave his political party, adding that reconciliation remained possible if Yusuf was willing to restore their relationship.

Kwankwaso and Yusuf were previously close political allies, with Yusuf emerging as the Kwankwasiyya movement’s candidate for Kano governor in the 2023 election. Their relationship later deteriorated amid political disagreements and shifting party alignments.

The latest comments represent a change in tone from remarks Kwankwaso made earlier in September, when he said he would not forgive Yusuf and others whom he accused of betraying him politically.

Kwankwaso has now stressed the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in politics, saying political disagreements should not necessarily result in permanent personal divisions.

He also indicated that he would welcome Yusuf back if the governor decided to return to their former political camp.

The development comes as political realignments continue across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Kano remaining an important centre of political activity.

Kwankwaso is currently a prominent opposition figure and has been involved in the emerging political alliance around the Nigeria Democratic Congress, while Yusuf’s political alignment has also changed amid the reshaping of party structures in Kano.

The latest statement could reopen discussions about the future relationship between the two men, although there has been no indication from Yusuf in the latest report that a reconciliation agreement has been reached.

For now, Kwankwaso’s position is that the political differences between them do not prevent a possible return to cooperation.