By any standard of political decency and maturity, the reckless and irresponsible utterances of Sunusi Surajo, the Political Adviser to the Executive Governor of Kano State, stand as a disgrace to Kano’s rich political heritage. His recent unwarranted attack on prominent Kano South political figures, including Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, and Abdullahi Sani Rogo, exposes his glaring ignorance of political strategy and governance. These individuals played a significant role in the 2023 elections, which saw the unexpected victory of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s political associate, Abba Kabir Yusuf. Sunusi Surajo’s reckless outburst not only insults these political gladiators but also reveals his complete lack of political wisdom.
It is unfortunate that at a time when Kano needs political stability and unity, individuals like Sunusi Surajo are busy fanning the flames of division with baseless accusations and reckless comments. His lack of understanding of the political landscape and his failure to grasp the importance of political alliances highlight his incompetence as a political adviser. If this is the treatment meted out to those who helped the Kwankwasiyya movement rise to power, it is no surprise that many former allies of the movement now regret their association with the party.
A political adviser is expected to guide the governor toward inclusivity, diplomacy, and strategic alliances. However, Sunusi Surajo has turned his position into a tool for personal vendettas and political recklessness. Instead of advising Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on governance and how to address the pressing issues in Kano State, he spends his time attacking political personalities within his own party. This lack of political maturity is a major reason why the NNPP is rapidly losing credibility among the people who voted for it.
Rather than engaging in political wisdom and constructive dialogue, Sunusi Surajo has chosen to operate like a political thug, hurling insults and baseless accusations at those who do not align with his narrow-minded political ideology. Politics is about negotiation, compromise, and service to the people, not about engaging in pointless verbal warfare that further divides an already polarized state.
At his age, one would expect him to be a voice of reason, fostering unity and political tolerance. Instead, he has become a symbol of political immaturity, using every opportunity to propagate lies and divisive sentiments. What benefit does he derive from attacking respected political figures with falsehoods? His actions not only embarrass the NNPP Kwankwasiyya but also bring shame to Kano State, which has a long history of producing mature and respected politicians.
Kano has always been a center of political wisdom and ideological battles fought with intelligence and strategy. The likes of Malam Aminu Kano, Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, and Malam Abba Mai Kwaru (of blessed memory) were known for their ability to engage in meaningful political discourse without resorting to reckless and baseless attacks. Unfortunately, Sunusi Surajo lacks the intellectual capacity to engage in meaningful politics, and his behavior is an insult to the legacy of these political giants.
A political adviser who lacks a basic understanding of diplomacy and political engagement is a liability to any responsible government. He should have used his position to build bridges, strengthen alliances, and ensure that Kano’s interests remain protected. Instead, he has chosen to be a divisive figure, reducing politics to mere personal attacks and character assassination. Such an approach can only lead to the downfall of the Kwankwasiyya movement and the eventual collapse of the NNPP in Kano State.
It is time for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to call Sunusi Surajo to order before he causes irreparable damage to both his government and his political future. Political advisers are meant to be strategic thinkers, not reckless talkers who create more enemies than friends. If Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf fails to control his adviser’s excesses, he risks losing the remaining goodwill that the NNPP still holds among the people of Kano.
The people of Kano are not interested in reckless political statements and unnecessary fights. They are more concerned about governance, economic development, and policies that will improve their lives. Sunusi Surajo’s reckless style of politics does nothing to solve the problems of unemployment, poor infrastructure, and insecurity in the state. His approach only serves to distract from the real issues that matter to the people.
The majority of Kano’s responsible citizens are not happy with his political rascality. His irresponsible actions make Kano appear politically immature and disappointing. As the heart of Nigerian politics, Kano deserves better than a political adviser who lacks vision, diplomacy, and common sense.
If this is how Kwankwasiyya rewards loyalty—by allowing reckless individuals like Sunusi Surajo to insult and alienate those who supported the movement—then it is clear why many people are now distancing themselves from the party. No serious politician will want to associate with a movement that disrespects its allies and ignores the importance of political cooperation.
Kano’s political legacy is too great to be tarnished by the reckless utterances of an ignorant political adviser. He must either learn the principles of responsible politics or step aside before he does further damage to his party and the state. The people of Kano deserve leaders and advisers who understand the true meaning of politics—service to the people, strategic thinking, and diplomatic engagement. Sunusi Surajo is clearly not fit for the role he currently occupies.
It is high time the governor reassesses the quality of advice he receives and surrounds himself with individuals who prioritize governance over reckless talk. The people of Kano deserve better leadership and a more mature political discourse. The time to act is now.
Garba Ubale Kankarofi wrote this piece from Kano, Nigeria.
