By Rimawaglobalnews Political Desk
The political temperature in Kano State rose sharply on Saturday following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s decision to relieve his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Sunusi Surajo, of his appointment, barely 24 hours after the governor announced his resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Surajo, a staunch loyalist of former governor and NNPP national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was immediately replaced with a former aide to ex-Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, a development widely interpreted as a strong signal of Governor Yusuf’s changing political direction.
The removal of Surajo comes amid an unfolding wave of defections that has seen 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, alongside several other elected officials, abandon the NNPP in solidarity with the governor.
Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, confirmed the development via a social media post, though no official reason was provided for the sack.
However, sources within Government House disclosed that the decision is part of a broader political recalibration following Yusuf’s dramatic exit from the NNPP, a party he accused of being plagued by leadership crises, internal divisions, and lingering legal battles.
In his resignation letter addressed to the chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf stated that he could no longer remain in a party weakened by instability.
“The NNPP has been engulfed by internal disagreements and legal battles that continue to undermine its unity across the country. These issues have distracted the party from its responsibility to the people,” the governor wrote.
Assembly Defections Reshape Power Balance
The political fallout was swift. No fewer than 22 of the 40 lawmakers in the Kano State House of Assembly formally announced their defection from the NNPP, citing loyalty to Governor Yusuf and support for his administration.
In a statement issued through the Speaker’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, the lawmakers said their decision was aimed at strengthening the governor’s political base following his resignation from the party.
Among the defectors are Speaker Jibril Ismail Falgore, Deputy Speaker Muhammad Bello Butu Butu, Majority Leader Lawan Hussain, Deputy Majority Leader Garba Shehu Fammar, Chief Whip Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki, and Majority Whip Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu, alongside other ranking members.
The lawmakers endorsed Yusuf’s decision to leave the NNPP and disclosed that they were awaiting further directives on their next political platform.
NNPP Grip Weakens Further
Beyond the Assembly, the governor’s defection has reportedly pulled along 44 local government chairmen and eight federal legislators, significantly weakening the NNPP’s hold on Kano State.
However, the crisis has also exposed deep divisions within the Kwankwasiyya movement. A senior political source revealed that Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo has declined to follow Yusuf out of the NNPP and remains loyal to Senator Kwankwaso.
Observers have noted the deputy governor’s absence from several recent official engagements at Government House, even as he is reportedly attending political meetings at Kwankwaso’s residence along Miller Road, Kano.
The state cabinet is equally divided, with several commissioners reportedly choosing to remain in the NNPP. Those said to have stayed back include commissioners overseeing science and technology, special duties, sports, internal security, humanitarian affairs, and women affairs.
Kwankwaso Reacts, APC Looms
Reacting to the developments, Senator Kwankwaso urged his supporters to remain steadfast ahead of what he described as a fierce political contest towards the 2027 general elections.
“Raising funds for a movement is not easy, but we are proud of your loyalty. We need people committed to progressive ideals, not those who can be swayed by money,” Kwankwaso said.
Although Governor Yusuf has yet to officially announce his next political destination, strong indications suggest he is set to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
If confirmed, the defections would hand the APC effective control of the Kano State House of Assembly, marking a major shift in the state’s political balance and setting the stage for an intense political battle ahead of 2027.
© Rimawaglobalnews | Nigeria
