I didn’t abandon Gov Yusuf; I still like him — Kwankwaso

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The Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, says he is willing to reconcile with Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State.

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It will be recalled that Yusuf, a staunch adherent of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, won the election in 2023 under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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The development resulted to serious frosty relationship between Kwankwaso and Yusuf, whom he served as his aide in the last 40 years.

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However, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, posted on his verified social media handle, Kwankwaso said he can forgive and reconcile with Yusuf, if he so wishes.

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Kwankwaso said he didn’t abandon nor ask Yusuf to change his political party.

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He added that “I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him.”

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Kwankwaso, who is also the running mate to Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said he was not a vengeful person and always forgives those who wronged him.

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He said that he forgave former Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, in spite of several wrongdoings meted out against him.

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“How many times did I have issues with Ganduje? He challenged me on several occasions.

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“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.

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“In spite of the misgivings, I put Ganduje forward and supported him, but he failed,” he said.

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Kwankwaso, who said he never considered himself a leader who dictates or directs people on what to do, added that he is still in politics, and not an armchair politician.

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He explained that “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.

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“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.

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“So, if I am not forgiving, we will not put Ganduje forward; the situation is the same with Yusuf.

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“We don’t ask for a dime from each of them to get our endorsement and tickets; we don’t sale our candidature.”

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