President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State governor and former presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday, reflecting on their decades-long political association despite their current differences.
In a birthday message issued on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Tinubu described Kwankwaso as a longstanding associate whose political journey had remained connected to his through years of public service and major developments in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The President recalled that their relationship dates back to 1992, when Kwankwaso served in the House of Representatives while Tinubu was a senator in the National Assembly.
Their political paths converged again in 1999, when both men emerged as governors of their respective states. Tinubu governed Lagos State, while Kwankwaso became governor of Kano State.
Reflecting on their shared political history, Tinubu described them as members of the class of governors who emerged in 1999 and contributed to the development of Nigeria’s democratic system.
“Since then, history and service have kept us intertwined,” the President said, recalling their involvement in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
Tinubu acknowledged Kwankwaso’s contributions to Kano State and Nigeria, highlighting his experience as a two-term governor, former minister of defence, former senator and presidential candidate.
He also described the former Kano governor as an influential figure in Nigerian politics whose years of public service had helped shape the country’s political landscape.
Despite their longstanding association, both politicians now belong to different political camps. Their current political differences have become particularly significant as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu acknowledged the divergence in their political paths, stressing that it had not diminished his personal regard for Kwankwaso.
“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.
The President concluded his message by wishing Kwankwaso good health, personal fulfilment and many more years of participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Kwankwaso’s 70th birthday comes at a politically significant time, with party alignments and negotiations shaping the emerging contest ahead of the next presidential election. His experience in governance and national politics continues to make him an important figure in discussions about the country’s political future.
Tinubu’s message highlights the distinction between personal relationships and political competition, showing that longstanding associations can endure even as political interests diverge.