Yusuf felicitates Kwankwaso at 70 despite political rift
- Kano Governor Abba Yusuf has congratulated Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso on his 70th birthday.
- The message, issued by spokesperson Sunusi Bature, praised Kwankwaso's public service and role in Kano politics.
- The two men are now on opposite sides ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has congratulated Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso on his 70th birthday, praising his years in public service even as the two men now sit on opposite sides of the state's politics.
The message came in a statement on Tuesday from the governor's spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, according to Daily Trust, PM News and Leadership.
Yusuf described the milestone as a moment to celebrate Kwankwaso's life, leadership and what he called his contributions to the development of Kano State and Nigeria.
He said the birthday offered a chance to look back on Kwankwaso's record in governance, infrastructure and the growth of democratic participation in the state, and prayed for good health, long life and renewed strength for him.
From godfather to rival
Kwankwaso is a former governor of Kano State and a former Minister of Defence. He was the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general elections, according to the reports.
He backed Yusuf's rise to the Kano governorship on the platform of the New Nigeria's People Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections.
But the two have since fallen out ahead of 2027. PM News reported that Yusuf is defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest for re-election, while Kwankwaso has defected to the NDC and is supporting another candidate for the Kano 2027 governorship election.
For ordinary Kano residents, the split matters because it shapes how the state's votes and resources may be contested in 2027, and which political camp controls the state government in the meantime.
Yusuf's message did not touch on the rift. It focused on Kwankwaso's public service and wished him peace and happiness as he marks the milestone.
What happens next
Both men are expected to keep building their separate political camps in Kano ahead of the 2027 elections. The governor's goodwill message does not change that contest, but it signals that the public exchange between them remains civil.
