‘Political differences won’t remove my affection for you’ — Tinubu celebrates Kwankwaso at 70

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano state, on his 70th birthday, describing him as “an influential figure and a progressive politician”.

In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, Tinubu said he had maintained a longstanding relationship with Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), since their time in the national assembly in 1992.

“My warm congratulations to my friend Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State, one-time Minister of Defence and former Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, on his 70th birthday on October 21, 2026,” Tinubu said.

 “Senator Kwankwaso and I have had a longstanding association, dating back to our time in the National Assembly in 1992, he in the House of Representatives and I in the Senate, and later in 1999 when we both emerged as governors of our respective states.”

Tinubu acknowledged Kwankwaso’s contributions to Kano state and Nigeria, citing his record as a two-term governor, former minister of defence, senator, presidential candidate and presidential running mate.

The president said their political paths diverged because of different political choices before they came together in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Senator Kwankwaso remains an influential figure and a progressive politician,” he said.

 “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.

 “As the former governor marks this milestone, I wish him good health, personal fulfilment, and many more years of engagement in the nation’s democratic process.” (TheCable)