- President says political differences will not diminish longstanding friendship ahead of january 2027 elections
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State Governor and presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday, describing him as an influential political figure whose contributions to Nigeria’s democracy remain significant.
Tinubu, in a statement issued by the State House on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, praised Kwankwaso’s public service record and reaffirmed their longstanding personal and political relationship despite their current differences in political affiliation.
The President recalled that their association dated back to 1992, when Kwankwaso served in the House of Representatives while he was a member of the Senate.
According to Tinubu, their political relationship deepened in 1999 when both men emerged as governors of their respective states and became members of the group popularly known as the Class of ’99 Governors.
He said the group played pivotal roles in laying the foundation for the democratic system Nigeria operates today.
Tinubu acknowledged that their political paths diverged over the years due to differing political choices before converging again in 2013, when they joined forces to establish the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Since then, history and service have kept us intertwined,” the President said, reflecting on their shared political journey.
He commended Kwankwaso’s contributions to Kano State and the country through his various public offices, including two terms as governor, Minister of Defence, senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District and presidential candidate.
Tinubu also recognised Kwankwaso’s continued relevance in national politics, describing him as a progressive politician and an influential figure in Nigeria’s democratic development.
The President, however, acknowledged that both men now belong to different political parties and are competing on separate platforms in the January 2027 election.
He stressed that their political differences would not undermine 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,” Tinubu said.
The President wished the former governor good health, personal fulfilment and many more years of active participation in Nigeria’s democratic process as he marks the milestone.
Kwankwaso’s 70th birthday comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, with prominent political figures positioning themselves and their alliances for the contest.
Tinubu’s message underscores the enduring relationships that can persist across Nigeria’s shifting political alignments, even as former allies find themselves on opposing sides of the political divide.
