Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has insisted that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and former governor Abdullahi Ganduje remain his political protégés despite rising political tensions in Kano State.
Kwankwaso made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing members of the Kwankwasiyya movement at his Miller Road residence in Kano.
His comments followed recent remarks linked to Yusuf, who was reported to have questioned why a 69-year-old politician would describe a 63-year-old man as “his boy”.
Reacting to the controversy, Kwankwaso first joked with supporters over the issue.
He said: “I was made to understand that a few don’t want to be referred to as my boy.”
The comment drew laughter from members of the gathering before the former governor addressed the issue more directly in Hausa.
Kwankwaso maintained that both Yusuf and Ganduje rose politically under his mentorship and influence in Kano politics.
He said: “If it is not out of disrespect, will Abba Kabir Yusuf say he is not my political son? If it is not out of disrespect, will Abdullahi Umar Ganduje say he is not my political son?”
Supporters at the meeting responded with applause as Kwankwaso defended his role in the political careers of the two politicians.
Kwankwaso, founder of the Kwankwasiyya movement, has remained one of the most influential political figures in Kano State, having served as governor, minister and senator.
Yusuf is widely regarded as Kwankwaso’s political ally and successor, while Ganduje previously served as Kwankwaso’s deputy before both men later fell out over political differences.
Ganduje had earlier acknowledged working closely with Kwankwaso but rejected claims suggesting a godfather-son relationship.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Ganduje said he was invited to serve as Kwankwaso’s deputy after losing party primaries during their first tenure together.
He also said their alliance during the second tenure was Kwankwaso’s personal decision.
