The simmering political tension between Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and his former political mentor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, took a fresh turn on Tuesday as the governor openly addressed the growing rift between them for the first time. Yusuf, who spoke during the official affirmation of Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila as the APC senatorial candidate for Kano South in Rano, said he had chosen to remain silent in the interest of peace but warned that he could respond if the attacks against him continued.
The governor said his decision not to publicly engage Kwankwaso should not be interpreted as fear or weakness. According to him, maintaining peace in Kano remains his priority, but there is a limit to how much criticism he can ignore. Yusuf noted that respect for age and political history informed his silence, insisting that he was not intimidated by anyone.
In a pointed remark believed to be directed at Kwankwaso, Yusuf questioned why a 69-year-old man would refer to a 63-year-old as a child. He said while he had continued to show respect because Kwankwaso was slightly older, younger people could also respond when older figures refuse to exercise restraint. The governor further appealed for calm, warning that continued provocation could lead to revelations that many may not expect.
Yusuf’s comments came days after Kwankwaso, during an interview with Trust TV, criticised the governor for leaving the Kwankwasiyya Movement. The former Kano governor also spoke about the role the movement played in Yusuf’s political rise, recalling that the governor once served as his personal assistant before eventually becoming governor under the platform backed by the movement.
Elijah Adeyemi
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