President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on his 70th birthday, recalling their longstanding political association dating back to 1992.

Tinubu, in a statement issued by his media office on Wednesday, described Kwankwaso as a friend and progressive politician whose contributions to Kano State and Nigeria remained significant.

He recalled that their political relationship began when Kwankwaso served in the House of Representatives and he was in the Senate in 1992.

According to him, their paths crossed again in 1999 when both emerged as governors of their respective states.

“As members of the Class of ’99 Governors, we both played pivotal roles in laying the foundation for the democracy the nation enjoys today,” he said.

The president said that although their political choices subsequently differed, they reunited in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Since then, history and service have kept us intertwined,” Tinubu said.

He acknowledged Kwankwaso’s contributions as a two-term governor, former Minister of Defence, former senator, former presidential candidate and presidential running mate.

Tinubu described the former governor as an influential figure in Nigeria’s political landscape.

He said their current membership of different political parties and participation on competing platforms in the January 2027 election would not diminish his affection 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 wished Kwankwaso good health, personal fulfilment and many more years of participation in Nigeria’s democratic process as he marked the milestone.

Kwankwaso, who represented Kano Central Senatorial District in the Senate, has also served as governor of Kano State and contested the presidency.