Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has firmly denied any rift with his long-time mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Rumors have circulated that the powerful leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Kwankwaso, exerts strong influence over Yusuf’s administration.
Some have even accused Kwankwaso of attempting to run a “third term by proxy” through Yusuf, who has been a loyal member of the Kwankwasiyya movement for decades.
During an interview with journalists on Wednesday, Governor Yusuf dismissed these claims as baseless.
“There is no truth in the rumors of a misunderstanding between us,” Yusuf declared.
“In my 40 years of knowing him, tell me, who among politicians has stayed with someone this long and still maintained harmony? When he was governor, I served as his personal assistant, always by his side.”
Yusuf recounted his long history with Kwankwaso, explaining that their bond remains strong despite the challenges.
“In all these years, we have never had a rift,” he said. “To now suggest that I am somehow chained by Kwankwaso is simply unfair.”
The Kano governor went on to reveal a recent conversation he had with Kwankwaso about the rumors.
“Even just two days ago, I visited him and told him about these rumors. I said, ‘I am surprised. Do people expect me to insult the man who stood by me?’” Yusuf explained.
“This is someone who has been there for me, and now some want me to go against him. It is simply not in my nature,” he added.
Yusuf stressed that he was elected by the will of God, not because of anyone’s influence.
Meanwhile, a new faction within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), calling themselves “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” (which translates to “Abba, stand on your own”), has been urging Yusuf to distance himself from Kwankwaso.
This faction has gained momentum, with members from both the party and other political groups pushing for Yusuf to assert his independence.
Yusuf did not hold back in his criticism of the faction’s message.
“This ‘stand on your own’ slogan is the greatest insult I have faced as governor,” Yusuf said. “It implies that I should repay good with bad. What has Kwankwaso done to me to deserve this?”
The NNPP’s state leadership recently suspended two high-ranking officials, Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Baffa Bichi and Commissioner of Transportation Muhammad Diggol, accusing them of disloyalty and allegedly supporting the “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” campaign.
The two officials denied the accusations, but the party is investigating their involvement.
The situation has also led to the defection of two House of Representatives members, Aliyu Sani Madakin-Gini and Alhassan Rurum, from the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Both lawmakers have publicly urged Yusuf to assert his independence from Kwankwaso’s influence.
Governor Yusuf, however, remains unshaken in his loyalty to Kwankwaso and expressed disappointment with those who doubt the strength of their relationship.
“It’s as if people do not understand the role Kwankwaso has played,” he said. “Where were these critics when he was laying the foundation for what we are doing now?”
Yusuf also addressed recent media reports suggesting he had ignored calls from Kwankwaso, an allegation he described as “lies.”
“They said Kwankwaso called me more than 30 times, and I refused to answer,” he said. “Where did they get this from? And within how many months? Did they pull this information from WhatsApp or some other source?”
Yusuf emphasized his respect for journalists but warned that he could take legal action against those spreading false information.
“If not for my respect for journalists, I would have taken the person who wrote that to court,” he said. “But I know, and Kwankwaso knows, that it’s all lies. There is no rift.”
The governor also made it clear that he wanted no part in the “stand on your own” campaign and warned his supporters against promoting divisive slogans.
“As of today, I don’t want to hear ‘stand on your own’ in Kano State or anywhere in Nigeria,” Yusuf stated.
“We were raised to respect elders, not to insult them,” he concluded.
