Former Kano state governor, and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has described the slap threat by his successor, ex-governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as confusion.
Recalled that, at separate times on Friday, Kwankwaso and Ganduje had visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the latter told journalists that he would have slapped his former boss if they had met each other at the Villa.
But reacting to the threat in an interview with the BBC, Kwankwaso said Ganduje was one of his political “boys” who would dared not look at him in the face.
“I heard that he [Ganduje] said he would’ve slapped me, but I’m here. He was just confused. These are all my boys politically. They can’t even look at me straight in the face if we meet,” he told BBC Hausa.
Confirming his meeting with President Bola Tinubu regarding potential involvement in his government, Kwankwaso said the President offered him appointment but the two parties were yet to arrive at a definitive conclusion.
“We have discussed collaboration, however, a definitive decision is pending. After the inauguration of the National Assembly, we will determine the best course of action,” he said.
Kwankwaso also stressed that the position Tinubu offered him was on mutual consultation, and it did not mean he would defect from the NNPP.
He said in two weeks, their conclusion would be publicly declared.
On the demolition in Kano, Kwankwaso stated that he briefed the President, and there was a mutual understanding.
According to him, Tinubu expressed contentment with the measures put in place by the Kano government.
“Tinubu initiated the conversation, after which I provided a comprehensive explanation, to which Tinubu expressed surprise upon discovering that the information relayed to him was false,” he said.
He said he briefed Tinubu on the details of the lands sold by the Ganduje administration to the public.
“During our discussion, he (Tinubu) seemed astonished and was speechless at the information conveyed to him.
“We unequivocally prohibit any governor, irrespective of who they are, including Ganduje or Abba, from constructing on sites designated for mosques, schools, or other similar purposes. We will inform them that it is unacceptable,” Kwankwaso said.
