Former Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Area in Kano State, Abdullahi Gali Shitu, popularly known as Comrade Abdullahi Gali Basaf, has returned to tailoring full-time after losing his seat following a court judgment, declaring that skilled trades offer greater security than political office.
Basaf, who served as Kumbotso LG chairman until March 2026, said his decision was deliberate and aimed at encouraging politicians to build sustainable means of livelihood rather than relying solely on public office.
Speaking in an interview, the former council boss described tailoring as a profession that had sustained him long before politics and even financed parts of his political career.
“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.
Now back at his tailoring workshop in Sheka Ward, Basaf oversees about 20 employees and says he is working towards expanding the business into a full-fledged garment company capable of employing 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 added.
The former chairman urged young Nigerians to embrace vocational skills, stressing that trades provide lasting economic security and should never be looked down upon.
“Value your trade more than politics, because it sustains you and enables you to support your political activities,” he advised.
Despite holding both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Political Science, Basaf said he chose tailoring out of passion, even when opportunities for white-collar employment were available.
His political journey has been closely associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement.
He founded Kwankwasiyya Reporters in 2015, later chaired the Alliance National Party in Kano, contested for the Kano Central Senate seat in 2019, and subsequently joined the NNPP, where he served as 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 duly elected chairman.
Reflecting on his return to tailoring, Basaf described the profession as more dependable than political office.
“Politics can change overnight. You can be in office today and out tomorrow. But tailoring remains. It feeds you, it supports your family, and it allows you to help others,” he said.
While reaffirming his commitment to tailoring, Basaf maintained that he is not walking away from politics, insisting that public service and civic engagement will continue to be part of his life.
