President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on his 70th birthday, describing him as an influential figure and progressive politician despite their political differences.
Tinubu, in a personally signed statement on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, recalled his longstanding relationship with Kwankwaso, dating back to their days in the National Assembly in 1992.
The president said their political association continued in 1999 when both men emerged as governors of their respective states.
“My warm congratulations to my friend Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State, one-time Minister of Defence and former Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, on his 70th birthday on October 21, 2026,” Tinubu said.
He acknowledged Kwankwaso’s contributions to Kano State and Nigeria, highlighting his record as a two-term governor, former defence minister, senator, presidential candidate and vice-presidential candidate.
Tinubu also recalled that although their political paths diverged at different points, they reunited in 2013 to establish the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The president, however, stressed that their current political differences would not diminish his personal affection for the former Kano governor.
“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.
Kwankwaso is currently associated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where he is serving as the party’s vice-presidential candidate, according to the statement.
Tinubu wished the former governor good health, personal fulfilment and many more years of participation in Nigeria’s democratic process as he marked the milestone.
“Senator Kwankwaso remains an influential figure and a progressive politician,” the president added.
