Governor Yusuf Congratules Estranged Mentor Kwankwaso On 70th Birthday

Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has congratulated his estranged political mentor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday.

Yusuf conveyed his wishes in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General of Media and Publicity at the Government House, Kano.

The governor described the milestone as an opportunity to celebrate Kwankwaso’s “life, leadership and contributions to the development of Kano State and Nigeria.”

He also acknowledged Kwankwaso’s role in the state’s political development, particularly his contributions to governance, infrastructure development and democratic participation.

Yusuf prayed to Allah to grant the former governor “good health, long life and renewed strength” to continue contributing to the development of Kano State and the country.

He further wished Kwankwaso many more years of peace and happiness, concluding his message with, “Happy 70th birthday Your Excellency.”

The birthday message comes amid a political fallout between the two former allies, whose relationship deteriorated following Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in January 2026.

Kwankwaso, who played a key role in Yusuf’s emergence as governor in the 2023 election under the NNPP, expressed disappointment over the defection, which widened divisions within the Kwankwasiyya political movement.

Yusuf’s departure from the NNPP marked a major shift in Kano politics, given his long-standing association with Kwankwaso, who had been regarded as his political mentor.