Tinubu’s Aide Backs Abba Yusuf’s Defection, Says Political Survival Isn’t Ingratitude
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO – Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Malam Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, has defended the decision of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to defect from his former political party, describing criticisms of the move as misplaced and politically dishonest.
Abdulaziz made the remarks while reacting to accusations on his Facebook page that the governor acted out of ingratitude following his defection.
In a strongly worded statement, Abdulaziz said many of those attacking Governor Yusuf had long believed that he would never be allowed to contest for office under the control of certain political interests.
In his words “Many of those who insult and accuse Governor Abba of ingratitude firmly believed that Madugu would not give Abba a ticket, in whatever party he controlled”.
Abdulaziz stated that it is therefore contradictory for the same critics to now accuse the governor of betrayal for taking steps to secure his political survival.
The soft spoken media aide questioned the logic behind the accusations, asking rhetorically, “So how, then, does saving one’s own life become ingratitude?”
The presidential media aide who was on ground when Governor Yusuf officially announced his defection, noted that the move was driven by political realities rather than personal vendetta.
He argued that politicians are often forced to make difficult choices in response to internal party dynamics and power struggles.
Abdulaziz maintained that political parties should not be treated as personal estates where access to tickets and opportunities is determined by loyalty to individuals rather than democratic processes.
He stressed that Yusuf’s decision reflects a broader struggle against political exclusion rather than an act of disloyalty.