A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Austin Okai, has criticised Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, over the removal of a key loyalist of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing the move as a political betrayal.
Okai faulted the governor’s decision to sack Sunusi Surajo, a staunch ally of Kwankwaso, from his position as Special Adviser on Political Matters and replace him with Mustapha Bakwana, a former political aide to ex-Kano State Governor and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Sunday, Okai argued that the appointment of Bakwana signalled a clear shift in Governor Yusuf’s political alignment, suggesting that the political structure built by Kwankwaso was now being handed over to his long-time rival.
According to Okai, Yusuf’s action showed that the governor had begun to “dance to Ganduje’s tune,” despite emerging politically through the support of Kwankwaso and his political movement.
The ADC chieftain recalled that Kwankwaso had fiercely opposed Ganduje in Kano politics and worked tirelessly to ensure Yusuf’s emergence as governor, only for Yusuf to allegedly turn against his former benefactor shortly after assuming office.
“Kwankwaso fought Ganduje tooth and nail to deliver Abba Yusuf, but after being delivered, Abba has now joined forces with Ganduje to fight the same man who brought him to power,” Okai stated.
The development comes barely 24 hours after Governor Yusuf announced his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), where Kwankwaso serves as national leader. Surajo’s removal followed swiftly, raising concerns within political circles about deepening rifts and realignments in Kano State.
Okai also used the opportunity to criticise what he described as the nature of Nigerian politics, where loyalty is often sacrificed for personal and political survival.
“You can now see why politicians rarely complain about high-handed politics. In Nigeria, such behaviour and real politics are inseparable,” he added.
Yusuf’s recent moves have continued to fuel speculation about shifting alliances in Kano, as political actors reposition themselves ahead of future electoral contests.
