President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State Governor and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday, declaring that their political differences will not diminish his affection for the former senator.
Tinubu conveyed his congratulatory message in a statement issued by the State House on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in which he described Kwankwaso as a longtime friend, influential political figure and progressive politician.
The President recalled that their relationship dated back to 1992, when Kwankwaso served in the House of Representatives while he was a senator, and continued in 1999 when both men emerged as governors of their respective states.
According to Tinubu, their membership of the Class of ’99 governors placed them among the political leaders who played significant roles in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s current democratic system.
He also recalled their political alliance in 2013, when they joined forces with other political leaders to establish the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Shaped by different political choices, our political paths differed until we coalesced in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress. Since then, history and service have kept us intertwined,” Tinubu said.
The President acknowledged Kwankwaso’s contributions to Kano State and Nigeria, citing his record as a two-term governor, former Minister of Defence, former senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District and former presidential candidate.
Tinubu also recognised Kwankwaso’s continued relevance in national politics, describing him as an influential figure whose contributions to the country’s democratic process remain significant.
Despite their current political differences, the President said their longstanding relationship would endure.
“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 stated.
Tinubu wished the former Kano governor good health, personal fulfilment and many more years of active participation in Nigeria’s democratic process as he celebrates the milestone.
Kwankwaso, who served as Kano State governor for two terms, remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, with a political following that extends beyond the state.
The President’s message highlights the longstanding relationship between the two politicians, whose political paths have intersected over several decades despite shifts in alliances and party affiliations.
