My heat congratulations to my good friend Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State, one-time Minister of Defence and former Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, on his seventieth birthday on October 21, 2026.
Senator Kwankwaso and I’ve had a longstanding affiliation, courting again to our time within the National Assembly in 1992, he within the House of Representatives and I within the Senate, and later in 1999 after we each emerged as governors of our respective states.
As members of the Class of ’99 Governors, we each performed pivotal roles in laying the inspiration for the democracy the nation enjoys at present.
Shaped by completely different political decisions, our political paths differed till we coalesced in 2013 to type the All Progressives Congress. Since then, historical past and repair have saved us intertwined.
I have to acknowledge Senator Kwankwaso’s immense contributions to Kano State and Nigeria as a two-term Governor, former Minister of Defence, former Senator, former presidential candidate, and now a presidential working mate.
Senator Kwankwaso stays an influential determine and a progressive politician.
That we’re in numerous political events and competing on completely different platforms within the January 2027 election is not going to take away my affection for Senator Kwankwaso.
As the previous governor marks this milestone, I want him good well being, private fulfilment, and lots of extra years of engagement within the nation’s democratic course of.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria
October 21, 2026
