for sure, getting rid of known idols is 100% the correct move, but why for himself and not sue?

Completely agree with Gabes move to play the idol on himself. I would do the same in his spot.

Get your guaranteed safety secured, especially at the first tribal and then take it from there.

Literally 5 people went home with an idol in their pocket last season. The whole point of a blindside is you dont see it coming.

He's exposed himself as betraying his original alliance to Tiyana already (in successfully bringing her to his new alliance). From his perspective, there's probably three possibilities:

1) Tiyana is not really coming with him, and has told the original alliance he's betraying them AND that he has an idol and they are going to try to blindside him. Playing idol for self: ideal.

2) Tiyana is not really coming with him, and they will be sticking to Sue as the target. They plan to go to rocks and see what comes. Playing idol for self: would be better if he played for Sue, but ultimately he's safe, and his team is a 2-1 favorite to have the majority after.

3) Tiyana is coming with him (either before or after a tie), and voting out TK. Whether he plays the idol for himself or Sue is mostly irrelevant other than a missed chance to build some goodwill with Sue (but with the counter of identifying himself and Sue as a power pair). Playing idol for self: fine.