- Abba Yusuf sacks Sunusi Surajo less than 24 hours after quitting NNPP
- Kwankwaso loyalists divided as Kano power blocs begin to shift
- 44 council chairmen, lawmakers dump NNPP alongside the governor
- Deputy Governor reportedly stays with Kwankwaso, deepening the rift
Barely 24 hours after resigning from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has removed his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Sunusi Surajo, in a move that signals a major political realignment in the state and a growing split within the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Sunusi Surajo, a former Chairman of Madobi Local Government Council and a known loyalist of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was relieved of his duties on Friday. He has been replaced by Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who previously served as a Special Adviser to the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Although the government did not officially state the reason for Surajo’s removal, the development was confirmed in a social media post by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa.
Political observers say the sack points to a broader cabinet shake-up as Governor Abba Yusuf aligns with new power blocs ahead of his expected move to the ruling party.
In his resignation letter to the Chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, the governor blamed deepening internal crises, persistent legal battles, and unresolved leadership disputes within NNPP for his decision to leave the party.
According to him, the ongoing conflicts had weakened the party’s structure nationwide and made it difficult to serve the best interests of the people of Kano.
The governor’s exit triggered a mass defection, with 44 local government chairmen, 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, and eight federal lawmakers publicly declaring loyalty to Yusuf and pledging to follow him into the ruling party.
However, the move has split the Kwankwasiyya political family.
A senior political source told The Guardian that the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, has chosen to remain loyal to Kwankwaso and will not defect with the governor.
Attempts to reach the Deputy Governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba, were unsuccessful, as his phone line remained switched off.
Notably, Gwarzo has been absent from three consecutive government functions at the Government House and has instead been seen attending solidarity meetings at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence.
Several cabinet members are also said to be holding back from leaving NNPP. They include the Commissioners for Science and Technology, Special Duties, Sports, Internal Security, Humanitarian Affairs, and Women Affairs.
Meanwhile, addressing his supporters in Kano, Rabiu Kwankwaso urged them to stay united and resist financial inducements.
“Everyone knows how difficult it is to raise funds for a movement,” Kwankwaso said.
“We are proud of you because you are loyal. We pray for strength to continue the good work. Do not allow anyone to buy your conscience with money.”
Kwankwaso vowed to stand firmly with his supporters as preparations begin for what he described as a serious political struggle ahead of 2027.