Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has publicly denied rumors of a dispute with his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Speaking to journalists in Kano, Yusuf described allegations that Kwankwaso controls his administration as “baseless” and reaffirmed his loyalty.
Speculation of a rift grew within the Kwankwasiyya movement and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) amid claims by Aliyu Sani Madakin-Gini, a House of Representatives member, who alleged that disputes over a drug contract and scholarship scheme had caused friction between Yusuf and Kwankwaso.
The rumors suggested that Kwankwaso was exerting influence on Yusuf’s government, akin to a “third term by proxy.”
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Responding to these allegations, Yusuf emphasized his unwavering loyalty to Kwankwaso, highlighting their 40-year political relationship. “There is no truth in the rumors of a misunderstanding between us,” Yusuf said. “To now suggest that I am somehow chained by Kwankwaso is simply unfair.”
The situation escalated with a campaign led by a faction within the NNPP known as “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” (“Abba, Stand on Your Own”), urging Yusuf to distance himself from Kwankwaso’s influence.
Yusuf condemned the message, calling it an insult to his loyalty. “This ‘stand on your own’ slogan is the greatest insult I have faced as governor,” he said, stressing that it implied ingratitude toward his mentor.
In response to this campaign, the NNPP state leadership suspended two officials—Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Baffa Bichi and Commissioner of Transportation Muhammad Diggol—for alleged involvement. Both have denied the allegations and are currently under investigation.
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Two NNPP representatives, Madakin Gini and Alhassan Rurum, have also distanced themselves from the Kwankwasiyya movement, urging Yusuf to operate independently.
Yusuf condemned these actions, highlighting Kwankwaso’s vital role in his administration’s achievements. “It’s as if people do not understand the role Kwankwaso has played,” he remarked.
Addressing false reports that he had ignored calls from Kwankwaso, Yusuf stated, “If not for my respect for journalists, I would have taken the person who wrote that to court.”
Yusuf concluded by urging supporters to end the “stand on your own” rhetoric. “We were raised to respect elders, not to insult them,” he said, calling for unity and respect within Kano State and beyond.