President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday, saying their political differences will not diminish his affection for the former minister.
Tinubu, in a statement issued by the State House on Wednesday, described Kwankwaso as an influential figure and progressive politician who had made significant contributions to Kano State and Nigeria.
The president noted that their political association dated back to 1992, when Kwankwaso served in the House of Representatives while he was a senator.
He said their relationship continued in 1999 when both emerged as 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.
According to him, although their political paths diverged due to different political choices, they reunited in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Since then, history and service have kept us intertwined,” the president added.
Tinubu acknowledged Kwankwaso’s contributions to the country as a two-term governor of Kano State, former minister of defence, former senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District and former presidential candidate.
He also recognised Kwankwaso’s current role as a presidential running mate.
The president, however, noted that both politicians now belong to different political parties and are contesting on different platforms ahead of the January 2027 election.
“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 said.
Tinubu wished the former Kano governor good health, personal fulfilment and many more years of active participation in Nigeria’s democratic process as he marks the milestone.
Kwankwaso, who governed Kano State for two terms, remains a prominent political figure in the state and the wider Nigerian political landscape.
