Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared that efforts to drive a wedge between him and his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are destined to fail.
Speaking on Tuesday during a celebration marking Kwankwaso’s 69th birthday in Madobi, Governor Yusuf dismissed speculation of tensions between the two leaders and reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the former governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
“Those within and outside trying to create a quarrel between me and our leader, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will not succeed,” Yusuf stated emphatically. “We will continue to follow the legacy and principles of the Kwankwasiyya movement because Kwankwaso is a God-given leader.”
The governor’s remarks come amid growing concerns over a movement known as “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” (Abba Stand on Your Feet), reportedly championed by former Secretary to the State Government Baffa Bichi and former Commissioner for Transport Alhaji Salisu Digol. The group has been advocating for greater autonomy in Governor Yusuf’s administration, a development that political observers suggest could potentially strain the relationship between the governor and Kwankwaso.
However, Yusuf used the birthday celebration to put such speculation to rest, pledging to continue upholding the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya movement throughout his tenure in office. The governor also offered prayers for the long life and robust health of the NNPP leader, describing Kwankwaso as a visionary whose leadership continues to guide the state’s progress.
The Kwankwasiyya movement, built around Kwankwaso’s political and leadership style, has been a dominant force in Kano politics for years. Governor Yusuf’s public reaffirmation of loyalty signals his intention to maintain the political structure that brought him to power, despite pressure from some quarters for a more independent approach to governance.
The birthday event in Madobi provided a platform for the governor to demonstrate unity within the NNPP ranks and reassure party faithful that the relationship between the state’s current and former leaders remains solid.
