KANO, Nigeria — Former Kano State Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso was once his “political boy,” warning against what he described as attempts to distort political history in Kano.
Ganduje made the remarks in a statement issued by his Chief of Staff, Muhammad Garba, while responding to recent comments attributed to Kwankwaso.
According to him, political relationships in Nigeria are built on mutual support, sacrifice and mentorship, stressing that many leading figures have benefited from one another at different stages of their careers.
“At that time, Ganduje could confidently have referred to Kwankwaso as his political boy, having supported him morally, financially and stood by him during that period,” the statement read.
The former governor recalled that he supported Kwankwaso’s early political rise, including during the period he emerged as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He also referenced earlier interactions between both men, noting that Kwankwaso frequently visited his offices in Abuja and Kano during his time as a senior civil servant and later as a commissioner in Kano State.
Ganduje further revisited the political realignments around the 1998 Kano governorship primaries, stating that although he won the contest, party elders persuaded him to step down for the sake of unity and serve as deputy to Kwankwaso.
He noted that despite political differences over the years, both men worked together as governor and deputy governor between 1999–2003 and 2011–2015, contributing to Kano’s development during that period.
Ganduje also urged respect for current political offices, citing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who once served as Kwankwaso’s aide but now occupies the state’s top position.
“Politics should not be about who is superior to the other. A father can nurture a child who eventually becomes greater in status,” he added.
He called on political actors in Kano to avoid divisive rhetoric and focus on unity, peace, and development in the state.
