Former Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, Abdullahi Gali Shitu, has returned to his tailoring business months after a court removed him from office, saying skilled trades offer greater stability than politics.
Popularly known as Comrade Abdullahi Gali Basaf, the former council boss now spends his days managing apprentices and producing garments at his tailoring workshop in Sheka Ward, Kumbotso LGA.
Basaf, whose tenure ended in March 2026 following a court judgment, said his decision to resume tailoring full-time was intended to encourage young people to embrace vocational skills instead of relying solely on politics for survival.
According to him, every politician should have a sustainable means of livelihood, describing public office as an opportunity to serve rather than a permanent source of income.
"Tailoring is not a small trade. It has sustained me for years, including during my political career. It provided the financial support I needed for my campaigns and political activities," he said.
The former council chairman said his tailoring business currently employs about 20 people, adding that he plans to transform it into a garment manufacturing company capable of creating jobs for more youths.
He explained that despite holding bachelor's and master's degrees in Political Science, he chose to return to tailoring because it remains his passion and a viable means of contributing to economic development.
Basaf maintained that politics is unpredictable, while a skilled profession provides long-term security and financial independence.
"You can hold political office today and lose it tomorrow, but your trade remains with you. It feeds your family and enables you to support others," he said.
The former chairman urged youths not to look down on vocational skills but to modernise and develop them into profitable ventures.
Basaf's political journey saw him emerge as a prominent supporter of the Kwankwasiyya movement before serving as Kano State chairman of the Alliance National Party. He later joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party, where he served as Senior Special Assistant on Information before winning the Kumbotso chairmanship election in 2024.
During his time in office, he said his administration established schools, facilitated healthcare projects and sponsored the education of more than 2,000 students.
However, his tenure was cut short after the Kano State High Court nullified his Certificate of Return, declaring Ali Musa, popularly known as Hardworker, the rightful winner of the election and ordering his immediate swearing-in.
Despite the setback, Basaf said he remains active in politics but will continue to prioritise his tailoring business, insisting that skilled trades remain a dependable source of livelihood regardless of political fortunes.
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