The leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has responded to recent remarks by Abba Kabir Yusuf, insisting that several prominent politicians in Kano once operated under his political mentorship.
Kwankwaso, who spoke during an interaction with supporters at his Miller Road residence in Kano on Wednesday, defended his earlier description of Yusuf as his political “boy,” a comment that recently sparked controversy in the state’s political space.
The former Kano State governor stated that it was not unusual for politicians who rose through his political structure to be regarded as his protégés, stressing that even Abdullahi Umar Ganduje once served under him politically.
“I heard that some people are unhappy about being called boys. If not for arrogance, how would some politicians deny that they were once my political boys? Even Ganduje cannot deny that he was once my boy politically,” Kwankwaso said.
The latest exchange followed comments made by Yusuf in reaction to Kwankwaso’s earlier interview with Trust TV, where the former presidential candidate reportedly referred to the governor as “Abba PA,” claiming he elevated him politically before he became governor.
Yusuf had faulted the remark, describing it as disrespectful for Kwankwaso, who is 69 years old, to repeatedly refer to him as a boy despite the governor being 63.
In what appeared to be his first direct public criticism of Kwankwaso since their political relationship deteriorated earlier this year, Yusuf warned that his silence should not be interpreted as weakness or fear.
The governor also urged the former governor to exercise restraint in his public comments, threatening to reveal certain issues if the attacks persisted.
The political rift between the two leaders deepened after Yusuf reportedly parted ways with Kwankwaso’s political camp. Kwankwaso has since accused the governor of betrayal, alleging that Yusuf abandoned the platform that brought him to power after emerging governor under the New Nigeria Peoples Party before aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress.