President Bola Tinubu has sent birthday wishes to Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and opposition figure, as the latter turned 70, TheCable reports.
According to TheCable, the president's message stated that the two men's political disagreements would not diminish his affection for Kwankwaso. The greeting was carried in the headline of the outlet's report on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
The birthday message drew coverage from several Nigerian outlets beyond TheCable. Punch Newspapers also reported on Tinubu's celebration of the milestone, while Legit News published its account in Hausa. Daily Trust reported that Governor Yusuf of Kano State marked the occasion as well, and Vanguard News carried a tribute from Dickson, who praised Kwankwaso's leadership.
The reports did not include the full text of the president's message or further details of the tributes.
Kwankwaso, a long-standing figure in Nigerian politics, is known for his rivalry with Tinubu's camp, which makes the president's warm words notable. TheCable's report frames the greeting as a gesture that separates personal regard from political competition.
Watch for fuller statements from the presidency or Kwankwaso's camp, which may clarify the tone of the exchange and whether it signals any shift in relations between the two political camps.
