President Bola Tinubu has assured former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso that their political differences will not affect their longstanding relationship as the former minister celebrates his 70th birthday.
Tinubu conveyed the message in a statement released on Wednesday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in which he commended Kwankwaso for his contributions to Nigeria’s political development.
The president recalled that their political relationship began in 1992 when Kwankwaso served in the House of Representatives while he was a senator.
He said their relationship continued in 1999 when both men became governors of their respective states.
“As members of the Class of ’99 Governors, we both played pivotal roles in laying the foundation for the democracy the nation enjoys today,” Tinubu said.
The president also recalled that they later worked together in 2013 to establish the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite having followed different political paths before then.
“Since then, history and service have kept us intertwined,” he added.
Tinubu praised Kwankwaso’s political career, highlighting his service as a two-term governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, senator and presidential candidate.
He described the former governor as an influential political figure whose contributions have shaped political developments in Kano State and the country.
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The president acknowledged that they currently belong to different political parties and are preparing to contest on separate platforms ahead of the January 2027 election.
Kwankwaso is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election.
Despite their political differences, Tinubu maintained that their longstanding relationship would remain intact.
“That we are in different political parties and competing on different platforms in the January 2027 election will not remove my affection for Senator Kwankwaso,” he stated.
The president wished Kwankwaso good health, personal fulfilment and many more years of service to Nigeria as he marks his 70th birthday.
Kwankwaso was born on October 21, 1956, and remains a prominent political figure in Kano State and Nigerian politics.
