By Abdullahi Inuwa
A former Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Area in Kano State, Abdullahi Gali Shitu, popularly known as Comrade Abdullahi Gali Basaf, has returned to his tailoring business after losing his position through a court judgment, declaring that skilled work offers a more dependable future than political office.
Basaf, whose election as council chairman was nullified by the Kano State High Court in March 2026, said his return to tailoring is a deliberate lesson for politicians to build sustainable careers outside politics rather than depend solely on public office.
Speaking on his new chapter, the former council boss described tailoring as a profession that has consistently sustained him, even during his political journey.
“Politics is temporary, but a trade stays with you for life. You may hold office today and lose it tomorrow, but your skill will always put food on your table,” he said.
Operating from his tailoring workshop in Sheka Ward, Basaf now oversees a business employing about 20 workers. He revealed plans to transform the outfit into a full-scale garment manufacturing company capable of creating more than 50 jobs.
According to him, the expansion is part of his commitment to supporting the local economy while proving that vocational skills remain a viable path to financial independence.
He also urged Nigerian youths to embrace craftsmanship instead of looking down on vocational occupations, stressing that skilled trades provide lasting opportunities regardless of political fortunes.
“Tailoring is a respectable profession. It financed my political activities and helped me support many people. Young people should value their skills because they are assets that never disappoint,” he said.
Despite holding Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Political Science, Basaf said his passion for tailoring outweighed the attraction of white-collar employment, a decision he believes has now paid off.
His political journey saw him rise through the Kwankwasiyya movement, where he founded Kwankwasiyya Reporters in 2015. He later served as Kano State chairman of the Alliance National Party, contested for the Kano Central Senate seat in 2019, and eventually joined the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), where he worked as Senior Special Assistant on Information.
Basaf was elected chairman of Kumbotso Local Government in 2024 before the Kano State High Court overturned his victory and declared Ali Musa, popularly known as Hardworker, as the rightful winner.
Although he has returned full-time to his sewing business, the former council chairman said he is not quitting politics completely, insisting that he will continue to participate in public affairs while building a thriving garment enterprise.
For Basaf, the courtroom defeat has become an opportunity to demonstrate that while political offices may come and go, a valuable skill can provide lasting security, dignity, and employment for others.
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