“Politics Changes, Tailoring Stays,” Former Kano LG Chairman Returns To His Sewing Business After Court Ruling

Former Kumbotso Local Government Chairman in Kano State, Abdullahi Gali Shitu, popularly known as Comrade Abdullahi Gali Basaf, has returned to tailoring full-time after losing his office through a court ruling, saying the trade offers greater stability than politics.

Basaf, who served as Kumbotso chairman until March 2026, said his decision was meant to encourage politicians to have a sustainable trade and view politics as an opportunity for service rather than a permanent source of livelihood.

“Tailoring is not a small trade. It is a major one. It sustains livelihoods. Even in politics, my tailoring business helped me financially to support my campaigns and organisations,” he said.

The former council chairman currently operates a tailoring shop in Sheka Ward, employing about 20 people. He said he plans to modernise the business, establish a garment company and create jobs for more than 50 people.

“My goal is to modernise tailoring, establish a garment company, and employ 50 or more people. I want to contribute to the economy,” he said.

Basaf also urged young people to embrace vocational skills and recognise the dignity in skilled trades instead of looking down on them.

“Value your trade more than politics, because it sustains you and enables you to support your political activities,” he advised.

A graduate with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Political Science, Basaf said he chose tailoring out of passion despite having opportunities to pursue white-collar jobs.

His political career has been closely associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement. He founded Kwankwasiyya Reporters in 2015, served as chairman of the Alliance National Party in Kano, contested for the Senate in 2019, and later joined the NNPP, where he was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Information.

Basaf won the Kumbotso chairmanship election in 2024, but the Kano State High Court nullified his Certificate of Return in March 2026 and declared Ali Musa, popularly known as Hardworker, the rightful winner.

Reflecting on his return to tailoring, Basaf said, “Politics can change overnight. You can be in the office today and out tomorrow. But tailoring remains. It feeds you, it supports your family, and it allows you to help others.”

Although he has resumed tailoring full-time, Basaf said he is not leaving politics completely, maintaining that public engagement will always remain part of his life.