​By Ado Isa Jagaba

​The persistent turmoil within the Kano State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has, once again, starkly exposed the deep-seated faultlines dividing the party. Yet, amidst this chaos, a quieter but far more instructive story is unfolding—the dignified restrain and profound political maturity demonstrated by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, in the face of sustained internal betrayal.

​In 2021, during the crucial APC State Congress, Senator Barau, then a serving Senator and Chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Appropriations, was systematically denied any meaningful influence. He was refused even an ex-officio slot at the ward, local-government, and state levels. Furthermore, his known allies were barred from serving as supervisory councillors, political advisers, or special assistants, with any identified supporter being ruthlessly sidelined.

​However, instead of engaging in public retaliation or fueling the internal discord, he executed a masterclass in political focus. He kept his attention strictly on delivering concrete development projects, roads, boreholes, schools, and scholarships. Often extending these dividends of democracy far beyond his Kano North Senatorial constituency.

​A Strategy of Silent Service

​His silence in the face of humiliation was not weakness; it was a strategic choice. This political maturity allowed him to rise above the petty fray and continued his unwavering service to the people. When the same elements later attempted to block his Senatorial ticket, national party elders were compelled to intervene. Barau’s perseverance ultimately paid off. He not only overwhelmingly retained his Senate seat, but was subsequently elevated to the position of Deputy President of the Senate, the fifth highest political office in the country.

​Why Barau’s Conduct is the APC’s Current Lesson

​Barau’s political trajectory offers clear, actionable lessons for the crisis-ridden party.

​Service Over Spite

Despite being denied the gubernatorial ticket and facing attempts to sabotage his Senatorial nomination, the Senator put the party first. He extensively financed the Gawuna/Garo gubernatorial campaign in 2023, played a pivotal role in the APC sweeping five of the six House of Representatives seats in his zone, and generously funded crucial legal battles all the way to the Supreme Court.

​Empowering the Grassroots

Barau has used his federal influence to empower party faithful, securing over 2,500 APC members position of Senior Legislative Aides, Special Adviser roles and influencing numerous federal appointments. This level of patronage and direct welfare for party members is widely regarded as unmatched in Kano’s recent political history. He has also donated hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles to party leadership at all levels.

​A Figure of Unification

The widespread grassroots call for Barau to run for Governor is not accidental. It is a direct recognition of his proven ability to bridge political divides, deliver tangible results, and provide the much-needed cohesion to a fractured party structure.

​The Desperation of the Cabal

​The same cabal that once exploited the gentlemanly nature of our former leader, Baba Ganduje, to humiliate Senator Barau now finds itself increasingly restless and confused. These elements, having benefited from the system, while neglecting the party’s welfare structure, constantly envy the goodwill and resources Senator Barau has directed towards the APC faithfuls.

​Today, they are desperately oiling fabricated and baseless publications aimed at tarnishing his image and sowing division, particularly by misrepresenting his independent political activities as a direct attack on Baba Ganduje’s personality. They are the same people who, having lost their source of leverage, now resort to hiding behind the former governor, seeking continuous protection to the detriment of the party’s survival as a viable opposition force in Kano.

​Unaware that the Senator is far ahead in strategy and political manoeuvring. Their paid “data boys” propagate falsehoods, trying to portray the powerful Senator as a battle-ready opponent of Ganduje’s political empire. However, their efforts fail daily. The resources they once enjoyed are no longer flowing. They cannot match the abundant political capital and widespread support at the disposal of the Deputy Senate President. A serious political Tsunami is being witnessed as many responsible and loyal party members desert their camp, which was built on a shaky foundation of self-interest rather than genuine party welfare.

​The Clear Lesson

​While critics may correctly argue that internal disagreements are inevitable and that the party should pursue reconciliation, others contend that Barau’s track record of quiet, effective service and broad support makes him the natural candidate to restore cohesion and secure future victories.
​Whatever the political outcome, the lesson for the Kano APC is clear: political maturity, as exemplified and typified by Senator, can transform humiliation into a platform for greater influence and power. The party must acknowledge that the same hands that built critical infrastructure and funded crucial legal battles are now being asked to lead the state.
​As many Kano APC stalwarts succinctly put it, “If you want a governor who can turn the tide of the state, look to the man who turned silence into service.”

Lajawa is a Political Analyst, from Warawa Local Government, Kano State
December 7, 2025
Email: adoisajagaban@gmail.com

By Abba Anwar

As some may smell it as vanity upon vanity, to the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, the recent endorsement pronouncement by some critical stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, in favour of the Senator, is at best, political alignment and realignment.

Though less than half of the former Chairmen of the 44 local governments, distanced themselves with the endorsement of Barau for Kano guber position, come 2027, by the former LGs bosses, the firm stay of about 30 of them around the DSP is regarded by many as Divine intervention for his political survival and emancipation from the clutches of political suffocation, hatred, chain and pain.

Whether the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction or in anti-clock wise, DSP’s political chemistry is taking all shenanigans back to drawing board. Is like the recent events are suffocating the already established system or culture. A culture that Senator Barau had never been part of its originators or scripters ab initio.

The naturalistic exhibition of some strange political behaviors around the Senator and his not very clear-to many- political strategy, jettison the familiar script to screen political calculation to open and non-gravity space. Which turns and makes the atmosphere to be fierce, crawling, thorny, awkward and embarrassingly confusing.

Apart from some information that I eavesdrop, the public outings of some APC stakeholders from Kano, who make DSP’s office a pilgrimage point, is already turning the atmosphere to move from analog to digital display of new born loyalty and reassurance. As 2027 election period is inching on high speed, new fences are created and some hitherto distanced fences started gluing for another round of marriage of convenience.

As Senator Barau is recently taking the show, more and more elements are racing to be identified with his political empire. Some openly, as encouraged by nation’s rules and regulations via freedom of choice and association, others chose to play ostrich.

Just like in the case of former Commissioners who served under the former Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON, who paid an earlier solidarity visit to the Senator, only two or less, came out to dissociate themselves from what transpired during the visit. That is out of over twenty of them. As Barau’s relevance, strength, strategy and octopus-like penetration into so many serious minds and structures, are waxing stronger, the man still maintains his long-held humility in struggle and political behavior.

During those visits, faces of some legislators, serving and former, were sighted. At a point, in one of the solidarity visits, the presence of such legislators was acknowledged and applauded by the man of the match.

Pushing down or rather up, to party leadership, as Divinely guided and designed, the Deputy Senate President, freshly received the delegation of the Kano North Senatorial District Caucus of the APC, led by the Chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Dan Shayi Rimin Gado. Without any acrobatic expression, they were categorical that they paid him a solidarity visit to officially endorse him for Kano guber race, for 2027.

As they unarguably affirmed and reaffirmed their loyalty and unwavering support, they stepped further to announce that they decided to declare him as the sole gubernatorial candidate of APC for the 2027 general elections.

After acknowledging his serious interventions in the state, in many facets of human endeavor, they believe, he is a messiah, whose contributions to the development of the state, are unprecedented in the state political history. Applauding that, Kano’s political economy will be catapulted into modern day governance, when he gets elected come 2027.

The leader of the Caucus group said to the Senator, that, “You have performed well in terms of attracting developmental projects to our state and region. As such, you are the right person for Kano.”

In the absence of using the word contagious, let me use this expression, the solidarity visits by the former LGs Chairmen and Commissioners has a ripple-effect on how others are rushing to be identified with him. The leader of this Caucus group Dan Shayi, made a particular reference with those solidarity visits.

The way I observe recent scenarios is, another set of the party leadership have reached advanced stage in preparation for their solidarity visit to DSP Barau. Something similar with Ganduje during the reign of Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, when he was about to complete his second tenure in office. I can vividly remember, when the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano Branch, under the then ALGON Chairman, Murtala Sule Garo, pressurized Kwankwaso to fill Ganduje as the sole candidate for the gubernatorial seat. At last Kwankwaso was forced to succumb to pressure. ALGON’s pressure and other factors gave Ganduje the ticket in 2015.

Yes Kwankwaso and some other powerful hands, both visible and invisible, around him, did not have Ganduje as their choice, but as Allah destined, He, Allah, Said “Ganduje Be,” and he (Ganduje), became.

The same Allah is very much around with all His Supreme Attributes. I’m sure this understanding of Divine and human arithmetic is what is prompting many to come forward. It is true that Barau cannot get into the hearts of all APC people and all electorate in Kano, this fate is what will make such people floating in the ever-anticipated political ocean. Some may chose to build a castle in the air. The possibility of impossibility. As what Walter Rodney may call, “development of underdevelopment.”

I also made an attempt to x-ray another round of solidarity visit to the DSP by the leadership and members of the Tinubu/Barau Kano State Consolidated Forum, led by Hon. Lawal Musa Gwarzo.

The visit, the way I saw it, looks very natural. That the group decided to fall-in and follow suit. As the Senator has, in recent time, been very busy receiving support and solidarity from organised political and non-political clusters. In fact, some visits remain closed from public watch. Deciding that, those involved in such visits are only working round the clock to garner more support and loyalty for the Senator.

The Tinubu/Barau Forum has state spread, as acknowledged and appreciated by the DSP on his Facebook page, that, “During the visit, members of the group reaffirmed their total support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and my political aspirations. With massive grassroots structures spanning wards, local governments, and the state level, the forum’s membership comprises youths, elders, farmers, teachers, former chairmen, political appointees, and other key stakeholders.”

Some of the consistent remarks, to his visitors remain.”I commend the leadership of this movement for their dedication and consistency. In politics, relationships go beyond party lines—true loyalty, sincerity and shared vision are what truly matter.”

My one and only advice to the Deputy Senate President, is, Your Excellency Sir, humility at victory is one of the necessary prerequisites for great men. History is full of this reality.

Sir, remain humble, simple, responsible, remarkable, tolerant and expectorant.

Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 6th December, 2025

By Abba Anwar

Recent events concerning endorsement of the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, by the former Chairmen of local governments in Kano state, for the position of a governor, is not only attractive, the endorsement is a picture depicting what to come and what not to come.

Though some Chairmen came out immediately, to dissociate selves from the endorsement story, I still believe that, those who were with the DSP at the endorsement table, have every tight to make their own political choices. Yes political choice is a right ascribe to all citizens by laws, rules and regulations governing political behaviors of the citizenry.

Take it or leave it, such endorsements, including the one from the part of the former Commissioners, who served under the former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, were not in place by nature or accident. Yes some of the Commissioners came out to dismiss, the endorsement, as did by some former Chairmen.

The thing is, Barau, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and Murtala Sule Garo, among others, have every right to contest for any position, come 2027 political rainy season. Even those who may have interest and waiting for the time and situation, to become deciding factors (raba gardama), they too, have an equal right to contest alongside Barau, Gawuna and Garo.

The debate about will it be Barau or Gawuna or Garo or any other person, is dependent upon examined chances, opportunities and rightful political behavior of the major actors. While a SWOT analysis can provide clearer platform for good assessment, individual belief in the real project, can also strengthen the entire process.

By SWOT analysis I mean, both the leadership and followership within the realm of All Progressives Congress (APC) and other non-APC people, including mere voters, those who only appear to cast vote during elections, but do not belong to any political party, demand to gauge and weigh individual preference concerning Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), then the real picture of who is likely to win or lose and election will emerge.

For example, one cannot still take away credits like attachment to grassroot, link with all segments of the party, deeply entrenched state visibility, frankness in all matters, display of clear direction to all people he relates with, real and genuine Tawakkul (giving everything to Allah), kalamu waheed (keeping his words), if you like and remembering his people under sun under rain, from Garo.

For Barau, you cannot take away from him qualities like, deep knowledge of national politics, more knowledgeable about worldview, carrying many things on his head, to the point that many see him as an always – busy-leader, who quickly forgets those around him, because he plans for their better tomorrow, very productive representative whose primary constituency is always in his chest and an a dear leader with an infrastructural-mind. You see structures everywhere courtesy him.

As for Gawuna, my reader and I, cannot take away from him qualities like, very charismatic, gorgeous, whose political gorgeousness takes him closer to people, particularly urban dwellers, receptive and accomodative appearance, from the first look at him, smily face, signifying open mind and simple.

My assessment of these gentlemen is how people see them. While I will not say a word on their shortcomings, because some could be subjective positions from people’s view, mine is just to give advice to the party, both leaders and followers and the endorsement process.

Lest I forget, left to me, Barau will be more productive when fixed in higher position there. Is just a matter of lobbying. If at all, we have good lobbyists from Kano, now. Any position above his current position. Or similar, with more impact. Mention any position that comes to your mind. This is my understanding of his self development. But one shouldn’t be shielded from his political choice. Yes agreed, he can be fix in all positions.

From the look of things, Gawuna – Garo ticket may not hold millions of litters of water. Hence, not a switchover of the duo’s ticket, but a provision of level playing ground, where each one of them has equal right and opportunity to contest for the gubernatorial seat. Whoever emerges at the intra – party election, can get the full support of the other. This, to me, is doable. Still Gawuna and Garo should have access and right to their freewill.

At the same time, those who appear to be cowards, politically, like Inuwa Waya, should be re-invited to rejoin the party and the race. At least for the life saving intervention of their political survival and strategy. Even if Waya is patiently waiting for any opportunity for returning match against those who alleged to have deceived him in the past, I think he should be patient enough to slug it out from within. He alone, for his political survival, is entitled to his democratic choice.

Kano’s gubernatorial race come 2027, may not witness anything close to an upcoming of a dark horse or dark horses in the race. Unless if a dark horse is abruptly coming from the other side of the table. I may be right or wrong. I also stand to be corrected.

For all aspirants, kindly remind yourselves the simple, bitter and indisputable truth that, resources alone are not always determining factor for political victory. What depicts this polical historicity are the cases of the period of the first civilian governor of old Kano state, Muhammad Abubakar Rimi. Followed by Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s period.

Though during Rimi one could argue that, there was refined political ideology, as a driving force for democratic culture, democracy and political behavior for all the then political parties. But during Shakarau, political ideology was utterly absent compared to Rimi’s time. But there was a movement, called Guguwar Buhari or at best Buhariyya movement. In all the two scenarios nowhere, resources alone gave victory.

Politics goes with time, happenings, breaking situations, political development, existing structures, level of engagement and genuine realities at play. So 2027 will definitely not come with fresh polical ideology and Guguwar Buhari. But, and but, there could be a more fresher development that can take the centrestage.

Endorsement, endorsement and endorsement. I have no problem with any form of endorsement. But proponents of endorsement should be wise enough to play their cards in a way that they will not be swindled. I mean endorsement to any individual must be vigilant, strategic and cautious.

Come to think of these scenarios. Barau- Baffa Dan Agundi ticket, Garo-Zaura ticket, Gawuna-Garo ticket. A food for thought to all.

While Kano is bigger than imposition of candidates, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a new entrant into political struggle and fight for sustainable democracy, if Kano APC will not and is not ready to work together, it is very simple for Tinubu to uproot them from the stage and replace them with any choice he deems fit.

My take. Where Garo can make a no-nonsense Governor, where discipline reigns, Gawuna can make a modern Governor, where charisma reigns and Barau can make a clever Governor whose attachment to all can be not strong and temporary, with sound knowledge of national politics.

Anwar writes from Kano
Thursday, 4th December, 2027