By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State Governor, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday, describing him as an influential and progressive politician.
In a statement issued on October 21, 2026, Tinubu said he and Kwankwaso had maintained a longstanding association dating back to their time in the National Assembly in 1992, when Kwankwaso was in the House of Representatives and Tinubu in the Senate. He noted that both later emerged as governors in 1999 and, as members of the “Class of ’99 Governors,” played pivotal roles in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s democracy.
The President recalled that although their political paths differed due to different choices, they coalesced in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress, adding that history and service had kept them intertwined since then.
Tinubu acknowledged Kwankwaso’s contributions to Kano State and Nigeria as a two-term governor, former Minister of Defence, former Senator, former presidential candidate and now a presidential running mate.
He said that being in different political parties and competing on different platforms in the January 2027 election would not diminish his affection for Kwankwaso.
The President wished the former governor good health, personal fulfilment and many more years of engagement in the nation’s democratic process.
