The Kano State Government says it is ready to reconcile with former governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, disclosed this on Sunday in a telephone interview while reacting to Kwankwaso's recent comment that he was open to reconciling with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Kwankwaso had said in a media chat that he had neither abandoned the governor nor asked him to leave his political camp, adding that he still loves Yusuf and that political disagreements should not prevent reconciliation.
Responding, Waiya said the state government regards Kwankwaso as a father figure and would welcome any move to restore the relationship.
"We regard Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as a father to us. Therefore, just as he said that his door is open for reconciliation, our door is also open," he said.
The commissioner added that Governor Yusuf had earlier cautioned his supporters against seeing Kwankwaso as an enemy.
"Moreover, our Governor, His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf, has said that we should not fight with him because he is a father figure to us. Therefore, we have no problem with reconciliation if it happens. Besides, it is not really a fight; it is simply a difference of opinion," Waiya said.
The rift between both men followed Governor Yusuf's defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on the development, Kwankwaso said political disagreements can be resolved through patience, forgiveness and compassion. He recalled his past relationship with a former governor, noting that despite their differences, he once supported his ambition.
According to him, political leaders should not expect their followers to agree with every decision, as people come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives.
Yusuf, a long-time political associate and protégé of Kwankwaso, became NNPP governorship candidate and won the 2023 election with the backing of the Kwankwasiyya structure.
His defection to the APC has, however, altered his political relationship with Kwankwaso and reshaped alignments in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of now, although both men have expressed willingness to reconcile, no formal agreement has been announced to restore their political alliance.
