Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has fired his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Sunusi Surajo, less than 24 hours after resigning from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The move marks a major political realignment within the state government and signals the governor’s shift away from the influence of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya political movement.
Sunusi Surajo, a former Chairman of Madobi Local Council and a known ally of Kwankwaso, has been replaced by Mustapha Bakwana, who previously served as political adviser to former Governor and APC chieftain, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Governor Yusuf’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, confirmed the development on social media, although the specific reasons for Surajo’s removal were not officially stated.
The change is widely seen as part of a broader strategy by Governor Yusuf to consolidate power within his administration and reduce the influence of Kwankwaso loyalists. Political analysts note that the governor’s departure from the NNPP and subsequent reshuffle are linked to ongoing disputes over loyalty, defection processes, and control of party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Yusuf formally announced his resignation from the NNPP in a letter addressed to the Chairman of his Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area. In the letter, he cited internal crises and divisions within the party, as well as legal challenges, as reasons for his departure. According to Yusuf, these issues had weakened party cohesion and threatened the broader interests of the people of Kano.
Following his resignation, a significant number of politicians joined him in defecting from the NNPP. This included 44 council chairmen, 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and eight federal lawmakers, all of whom pledged loyalty to the governor in the ruling party.
However, the move has not been universally embraced by members of the Kwankwasiyya movement. Some key figures in Governor Yusuf’s cabinet, including the deputy governor, have not participated in the mass defection. The deputy governor has reportedly been absent from three consecutive public functions at Government House and has been seen attending solidarity events at Kwankwaso’s residence.
Other ministers and political appointees who remain aligned with Kwankwaso include:
Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Yusuf Kofar-Mata
Commissioner for Special Duties, Nasiru Garo
Commissioner for Sports, Mustapha Kwankwaso
Commissioner for Internal Security, AVM Ibrahim Umar
Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya
Commissioner for Women Affairs, Amina Abdullahi
The retention of these cabinet members in the NNPP highlights the ongoing tensions within the state government and hints at a prolonged struggle for political control in Kano ahead of the next election cycle.
In response to the defections and reshuffle, Senator Kwankwaso has called on his supporters to remain steadfast and resist attempts to be swayed by financial incentives. Addressing loyalists at his Miller Road residence in Kano, he described the political situation as a test of commitment to the Kwankwasiyya ideology.
“Everyone knows the difficulty of raising funds for a movement. We are proud of you because you are loyal,” Kwankwaso told his supporters. “Be strong and persevere. In this state of ours, we need people who are like-minded and progressive in their ideology, not people who will take money and move to the East. You are giving me courage, honestly. If not for this kind of doggedness, even I would have been sold.”
The former governor emphasized the importance of fighting for the interests of ordinary citizens and staying true to the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya movement. He urged supporters to educate their families, friends, and neighbors about the need for political resilience and dedication.
Bakwana, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters, brings experience from his time as political adviser to former Governor Ganduje. His appointment is expected to influence the administration’s strategies in managing party politics, legislative relations, and electoral preparations for 2027.
The realignment comes at a critical period for Kano politics, with national attention increasingly focused on party defections and power shifts in the North-West region. Experts say the governor’s actions could reshape local power dynamics and influence the performance of the ruling party in the upcoming elections.
As political actors in Kano continue to recalibrate their positions, the struggle between Governor Yusuf and Kwankwaso loyalists is likely to define the state’s political discourse over the next few years. Both sides appear determined to consolidate influence, with the governor relying on newly appointed advisers and defecting lawmakers, while Kwankwaso urges his followers to remain committed to his ideological vision.