Gov Yusuf Sacks Key Aide, Appoints Former Ganduje Adviser Amid Kano Political Realignment

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sacked his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Sunusi Surajo, and appointed Mustapha Bakwana, a former political adviser to ex-Governor and former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as his replacement. The development comes less than 24 hours after Governor Yusuf formally resigned his membership of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), a move that has further deepened the political crisis rocking the state.

Sunusi Surajo, a former Chairman of Madobi Local Government Council and a long-standing loyalist of NNPP leader and Kwankwasiyya movement founder, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was widely regarded as one of the strongest links between the governor and his former political benefactor. His removal is therefore seen by political observers as a clear signal that Governor Yusuf is dismantling the old Kwankwasiyya political structure within his administration and aligning himself with new power blocs ahead of future elections.

Surajo’s replacement, Mustapha Bakwana, previously served as a political adviser under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, a long-time political rival of Kwankwaso. Bakwana’s appointment has been interpreted as a strategic move by Governor Yusuf to consolidate support from the Ganduje political camp and strengthen his position within the ruling party as Kano politics undergoes a major realignment.

Although the official reason for Surajo’s dismissal has not been disclosed, confirmation of the development came via a social media post by Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. Sources within Government House suggest that the sacking may be part of a broader cabinet reshuffle aimed at removing officials perceived to be loyal to Kwankwaso rather than to the governor himself.

Governor Yusuf’s decision follows weeks of reported tension between him and Senator Kwankwaso, his former political mentor. The rift reportedly centres on issues of control, loyalty, and the governor’s political future, particularly allegations that Kwankwaso attempted to impose decisions on elected officials and influence the defection process ahead of the 2027 elections. There have also been claims that the NNPP leadership was unwilling to guarantee Governor Yusuf a return ticket, allegedly preferring his deputy as a successor.

In his resignation letter addressed to the chairman of his Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, Governor Yusuf cited deepening internal crises within the NNPP and the need to protect the broader interests of Kano people as his reasons for leaving the party. He lamented persistent internal disputes, leadership wrangling, and legal battles that, according to him, have weakened the party’s cohesion and national structure.

The governor’s exit from the NNPP was not an isolated action. In a dramatic show of loyalty, 44 local government chairmen, 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and eight federal lawmakers declared their intention to follow him into the ruling party. This mass movement, however, has sharply divided the Kwankwasiyya camp, with commissioners and top political appointees now split between loyalty to the governor and allegiance to Kwankwaso.

A senior political source told The Guardian that the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, is aligning with Senator Kwankwaso and is unlikely to defect alongside Governor Yusuf. Attempts to reach the deputy governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as his phone line was switched off. Notably, the deputy governor has been absent from three consecutive official events at Government House and has reportedly been seen attending solidarity meetings at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence.

Several commissioners are also said to have remained with the NNPP, including the Commissioners for Science and Technology, Dr. Yusuf Kofar-Mata; Special Duties, Nasiru Garo; Sports, Mustapha Kwankwaso; Internal Security, AVM Ibrahim Umar; Humanitarian Affairs, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya; and Women Affairs, Amina Abdullahi.

Meanwhile, Senator Kwankwaso has urged his supporters to brace for what he described as a serious political struggle ahead of the 2027 general elections. Addressing loyalists at his residence, he appealed for renewed commitment to the Kwankwasiyya ideology and warned against being lured away by financial inducements.

Kwankwaso pledged to stand firmly with his supporters, stressing that the movement was built on sacrifice and progressive ideals rather than personal enrichment. He encouraged them to remain steadfast, describing their loyalty as a source of strength and motivation.

With Surajo’s dismissal and Bakwana’s appointment, political analysts believe Governor Yusuf has crossed a critical line, effectively declaring independence from his former political godfather. As Kano’s political landscape rapidly reshapes, all eyes are now on how this power struggle between the governor and Kwankwaso will play out in the run-up to 2027.