Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has expressed readiness to reconcile with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, despite the political differences that have strained their relationship.

Kwankwaso said he remains fond of Yusuf and would be willing to forgive him if the governor is also prepared to reconcile.

The former Kano governor made the remarks in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, which he later shared on his verified social media account.

Yusuf, a long-standing associate of Kwankwaso and former aide, won the 2023 Kano governorship election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, before later moving to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The defection deepened political tensions between the two men, who have maintained a relationship spanning several decades. Addressing the issue, Kwankwaso said he neither abandoned Yusuf nor instructed him to leave the NNPP.

“I didn’t abandon him, didn’t ask him to go or dismiss him, I still like him,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who is the running mate to Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate Peter Obi, also described himself as someone who does not hold grudges against people who have wronged him.

He cited his relationship with former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as an example, recalling several political disagreements between them.

According to Kwankwaso, Ganduje had served as his Special Assistant while he was at the Ministry of Defence in 2007 and was involved in political efforts against him after he decided to contest.

Despite their disagreements, Kwankwaso said he later supported Ganduje’s emergence as Kano governor. He said his approach to politics was not based on controlling other people or dictating how they should act.

“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.

Kwankwaso argued that political relationships could be affected by differences in people’s backgrounds, ages, experiences and educational levels.

He said his willingness to forgive was also reflected in his past relationship with Ganduje and could equally apply to Yusuf.

The NDC running mate further maintained that he does not regard himself as a passive political figure and remains actively involved in politics.

He also dismissed the suggestion that his political endorsements were motivated by financial considerations, saying candidates seeking his backing were not required to pay for endorsements or tickets.

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