Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has hit back at Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso over claims of political mentorship. Ganduje, the former APC chairman, says Kwankwaso was once his own protégé in politics.
Ganduje issued the response from Saudi Arabia, where he's observing the Hajj pilgrimage. His Chief of Staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba, released a statement on Friday outlining his position.
Kwankwaso had earlier claimed: "Even Ganduje was once my boy." Ganduje's camp took issue with that characterization.
In his reply, Ganduje stressed that politics relies on relationships, mentorship, sacrifice and mutual support. No politician, he argued, reaches the top without help from others.
Ganduje recalled backing Kwankwaso during his early political journey. He specifically mentioned supporting him during the National Assembly election that saw Kwankwaso become Deputy Speaker of the House.
"At that time, Ganduje could confidently have called Kwankwaso his political boy," the statement read. "He provided both moral and financial backing during that critical period."
Ganduje also noted that Kwankwaso regularly visited his offices when he was a senior civil servant in the FCT. Later, when Ganduje served as Kano's Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Kwankwaso continued these visits.
Ganduje argued it's unnecessary to introduce "boy-master" narratives into modern political debate. Citizens deserve leaders focused on governance and development, not personal ego clashes.
He revisited the 1998 Kano State governorship primary, saying many believed he won. Senior political figures convinced him to step aside for the deputy governorship slot alongside Kwankwaso.
Despite their rivalry, both men governed together successfully. They served as governor and deputy governor from 1999 to 2003, and again from 2011 to 2015.
Ganduje cited Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as an example of evolving political relationships. Yusuf once worked as Kwankwaso's Personal Assistant but now leads Kano State.
"Politics shouldn't be about who is superior," Ganduje noted. "A father can nurture a child who eventually surpasses him in status and influence."
He called on Kano's political leaders and their supporters to stop making divisive comments. Instead, they should work together to promote peace and development across the state.
