Shekarau, Ganduje, Yusuf ‘politically finished’ in Kano – Kwankwaso

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, has declared that former governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Abdullahi Ganduje, along with incumbent Governor Abba Yusuf, are politically finished in Kano State. Kwankwaso made these remarks during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria Personality Interview Series in Abuja, where he reflected on the political trajectories of individuals who had once aligned with him before falling out. Kwankwaso asserted that political success built on betrayal ultimately leads to political oblivion. He emphasized that over the past two and a half decades, he had observed that those who betrayed their political allies often ended up in political decline. Referring to one of his former political associates, he stated, “I am sure you don’t know; he is going into oblivion politically. He is nowhere.” This statement was directed at Ganduje, who served as his deputy for eight years before becoming governor in 2015. Kwankwaso claimed that Ganduje's political fortunes have deteriorated due to his decision to break away from their alliance. Kwankwaso argued that Ganduje’s political career could have thrived more effectively had he adhered to the political structure they had jointly established. He noted that Ganduje’s current position reflects the consequences of his departure from their partnership. “If you can even see the issue of Ganduje, who we came together and supported, and became governor free of charge. The day when he started fighting was the beginning of his problem,” he remarked. He added that Ganduje’s lack of commitment to the political framework led to his diminished standing in Kano and beyond. Kwankwaso also criticized Governor Abba Yusuf for allegedly abandoning those who contributed to his rise to power. He explained that the selection of Yusuf as his preferred candidate was influenced by the desire to prevent a recurrence of Ganduje’s actions. “We went down, right down, to make sure that we picked the right person who would not go and repeat what Ganduje had done,” he said. According to Kwankwaso, members of his political group worked tirelessly to support Yusuf in the 2019 governorship election, which he initially won before the outcome was annulled through legal action. The same political structure later helped secure Yusuf’s victory in the 2023 election, despite efforts to undermine the party. However, Kwankwaso noted that Yusuf has since distanced himself from the political group that propelled him to power. He suggested that Yusuf’s public association with Ganduje has caused him political complications. “He left us, but he is not with Ganduje now. He is in-between because I don’t think he is happy for anybody to call him Dan Gandujiyya,” he said. Kwankwaso further accused Yusuf of attempting to replace him as the dominant political figure in Kano, despite his ongoing influence in the state. Kwankwaso acknowledged that the struggle for political succession and control is not unique to Kano, describing it as a common occurrence in Nigerian politics. He recounted a conversation with President Bola Tinubu, in which the president urged him to resolve political differences with Ganduje. Kwankwaso highlighted that he pointed out the fates of other politicians who had faced similar challenges, underscoring the broader implications of political betrayal and its long-term consequences.