I am neither a praise singer, a bloviator, nor a rabble-rouser. In fact, I have deliberately avoided writing personalities into public discourse unless there is a compelling reason to do so. Today, however, I find myself making an exception.

That exception is the Deputy Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, popularly known as Commander.

Some may ask: Why him? Why now?

The answer is simple.

Recently, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf publicly acknowledged the loyalty, commitment and dedication of his deputy. Though I am paraphrasing the governor’s remarks, the message was unmistakable. It was not the routine political compliment often exchanged in public gatherings. It was an expression of confidence that appeared to come from conviction.

In government, trust is one of the most valuable currencies. Governors do not hand over sensitive assignments to deputies simply because protocol demands it. They do so because they believe such assignments will be executed competently and faithfully.

Since assuming office as Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo has increasingly become one of the governor’s trusted representatives in engagements that require diplomacy, policy articulation and relationship-building. The pattern is becoming difficult to ignore.

Perhaps the clearest example came during the recent strategic visit by a high-powered delegation of European Union Heads of Mission and their deputies, led by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot.

Representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Garo received the delegation and held discussions on issues critical to Kano’s development. The meeting focused on sustainable urban development, youth empowerment, social inclusion, infrastructure, climate resilience and investment opportunities.

During the engagement, Kano State presented its Urban Development Strategy, developed with technical support from UN-Habitat, outlining a long-term vision for sustainable metropolitan growth, improved infrastructure, regional integration and economic expansion. Garo reaffirmed the state’s commitment to transparency, accountability and creating an enabling environment for responsible local and international investment. The delegation included representatives of UNICEF, GIZ, Plan International, UN-Habitat and other international development partners, underscoring the strategic importance of the engagement.

The assignment was significant. International diplomacy demands preparation, confidence and clarity. Every statement made during such engagements reflects not only the individual speaking but the entire government. That Governor Yusuf entrusted his deputy with that responsibility speaks volumes about the confidence he has in him.

Moreso, Garo again represented Kano State at the North-West Governors’ Forum Policy Dialogue on Reducing Multidimensional Poverty. The dialogue brought together governors, policymakers and development partners to deliberate on practical solutions to poverty, youth unemployment and inclusive economic growth across the North-West. Observers noted that many of the development priorities he articulated during the EU engagement aligned closely with discussions at the regional forum, reinforcing Kano’s commitment to collaborative development.

These are not ceremonial appearances. They are responsibilities that require an understanding of governance, diplomacy and development policy.

Effective governance depends largely on the relationship between a governor and a deputy governor. History has shown that where distrust exists, government often loses focus and the people ultimately pay the price. Conversely, when there is mutual confidence, responsibilities are delegated effectively, decisions are implemented more efficiently and governance becomes more responsive.

The recent public commendation by Governor Yusuf therefore carries significance beyond mere politics. It suggests that Kano currently enjoys a leadership partnership built on cooperation. If that relationship continues to grow, it can only strengthen the administration’s capacity to deliver on its promises.

Judging by the governor’s public endorsement and the calibre of responsibilities already entrusted to him, Murtala Sule Garo appears to be earning that confidence through service rather than rhetoric.

One thing is becoming increasingly clear: Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo is steadily defining the office of the Deputy Governor. By God’s Grace, history will ultimately place him among Kano’s most impactful deputy governors.

Time, as always, will be the ultimate judge.

Muazzamu Muhammad writes from Kano State

By Abba Anwar

An interesting and soundly captivating revelation goes viral and attracting accolades in the media from yesterday, when the Special Adviser on Media, to His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Barau I Jibrin, PhD, CFR, discloses that, the Senator sponsored 42 Bills in 36 Months.

The Media Aide, Ismail Mudasshir in his press release, says, “A total of 42 bills have so far been sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, in three years, from June 13, 2023, to June 13, 2026, records from the Senate have revealed.

Senator Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, has emerged as the most active lawmaker in the 10th Senate in terms of private member bill sponsorship.”

The breakdown further reveals that, that the Senator sponsored 13 bills in 2023, 9 bills in 2024, 17 bills in 2025 and 3 bills in 2026.

Yes the number of the Bills shows the seriousness, commitment and how patriotic DSP is, because that number places him inches ahead of many Distinguished colleagues. He truly understands and identifies himself with the primary responsibility of a legislator in legislative process, lobby, procedure and oversight functions.

It is absolutely true that, the number of the Bills birthed under his effort are commendable. But more commendable to me, are the Bills that have link with the security of the land. In this context. As insecurity is plaguing hard in the North in particular, and Nigeria in general, anything that has to do with taming the menace and monster of this problem, is an all-important development.

I sometimes disagree with some opinions that, all our leaders are not interested in taming the menace of insecurity in the country. I do so, when I think of good leaders like DSP Jibrin. In his own capacity as a legislator, whose primary and constitutional responsibility lies on legislation, not execution, he is doing well and amazing.

This piece is not on his contributions to security agencies and personnel in his constituency and Kano state in general. It is concentrated only on security – related Bills in the Senate, which he sponsored.

To talk briefly about his constituency and state, while he did a lot in providing operational vehicles and other logistics for the Nigeria Police Force, Kano Command, alongside other security agencies, he did well in the area of infrastructural development in Barracks and other operational locations.

Insurgency and other forms of terrorism hitting hard on us, does not start and end in forests and other hideous, such physical acts are the product of planning, engagement and execution. In this digital age Cybercrimes are crux of the matter, alongside other nefarious activities. With the good understanding of the lingering bad side of this, DSP Jibrin, initiated and sponsored Cybercrimes (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2023 (SB.64).

Cybercrime is a pregnant of bad traits like hacking government systems, banking fraud, online scams FUNDING BANDITS/KIDNAPPERS, spread of disinformation that incites violence. When DSP understood that, repealing and re-enacting the 2015 Act, could aid in updating penalties, improving coordination with equally relevant agencies like Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA). This will give law enforcement better tools to track cybercriminals. Without this, Nigeria’s digital space stays vulnerable.

Understanding that modern insecurity is not just about guns. Explosives sometimes cause more devastating damage than guns. His Excellency, Deputy Senate President sponsored Explosives Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2023 (SB.70). This has to do with IEDs, bombings, illegal mining explosives used bandits/insurgents. The old Act is outdated. A new Act tightens licensing for quarries, construction, mining companies. It also controls storage and transportation so explosives don’t end up in wrong hands. This, by whatever standard, is a frontline prevention against terrorism and violent crime.

His genuine concern for our patriotic elements, Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Senator Jibrin sponsored Armed Forces Comfort Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 882). This has to do with the welfare of our soldiers and direct military operations. It looks at the welfare of soldiers – medical care for injured troops, support for families of fallen soldiers, barracks upgrades.

It is natural to note that if morale and welfare are low, troop effectiveness automatically drops. This Bill ensures the fund works better, so soldiers fighting Boko Haram, bandits, IPOB etc are better supported. Security depends on the reality that fighting force being motivated.

As a global citizen whose worldview and knowledge of how nations struggle against modern crimes, with digital capacity and capability, our all-round Senator sponsored Cryptocurrency Prohibition and Regulation Bill, 2025 (SB.931). This has to do with financial security. A crux of many evils. It is very clear to deeply understand that unregulated crypto is used to move ransom money for kidnapping, fund terrorism, launder proceeds of banditry.

This Bill strengthening prohibition and regulation suggests loudly that Nigeria wants to either ban high-risk crypto or put strict Know Your Customer/ Anti-Money Laundering (KYC/AML) rules. That cuts off a funding channel for criminals. Central Bank and EFCC have alarmed crypto as a security risk since 2021.

To deal with financial crimes and enhance financial security from all ramifications, he saw reason in sponsoring Virtual Asset and Service Providers Bill, 2025 (SB. 956). It looks at VASP exchanges, wallets, crypto brokers. Failure to regulate them could land Nigeria to be blacklisted by Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global Police for money crimes.

It is globally accepted that, when a nation is blacklisted by FATF, that hurts banking and investment. Which automatically weakens the economy and creates more poverty-driven crime. Regulating VASPs means transactions can be traced, making it harder for kidnappers/bandits to hide money for their notorious activities.

His Bill the National Identity Management Commission (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2024 (SB.472), is foundational for internal security. As crimes like kidnapping, banditry and terrorism thrive on anonymity, with this Bill, a very strong, clean National ID database with biometrics helps security agencies identify suspects, track movement, block SIM cards of criminals, and secure borders. This Bill has already been passed into Law. It strengthens NIMC to capture more Nigerians and link NIN to SIMs, BVN, and the rest.

Slow development or lack of it, fuels nefarious activities among citizens. With this understanding Senator Jibrin saw a strong reason why he should sponsor and facilitate for the establishment of a development commission. Hence his sponsorship of North West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB.90).

It is largely believe that, insecurity in North West region is driven by poverty, no jobs, no schools, abandoned projects etc etc. The Commission is created to rebuild roads, schools, hospitals, create jobs in the 7 states of the region. This tackles root causes of the disturbing and lingering menace. Which means fewer youth join gangs. Especially when the Commission takes-off.

With Constitution Alteration Bills, 2023-2025, sponsorsed by the DSP, many areas concentrate on how to change security architecture. Provisions like SB.262, SB.281, SB.288, SB.403, SB.784, SB.785, SB.786, SB.793, SB.804, SB.907 deal with state police, local government autonomy, security votes transparency, or police reform. We are talking of constitutionalizing fight against insecurity.

Kidnappers den and terrorists hideouts are looked at in the Bill he sponsored, Development Planning and Project Continuity Bill, 2023 (SB.05). Under this the provisions need to do with environmental and/or operational security. It looks at bandoned projects like uncompleted buildings, roads, dams that become hideouts for kidnappers and bandits. This bill forces governments to finish projects before starting new ones. Less abandoned infrastructure means less space for criminals to operate. This also prevents waste of public funds that should go to security.

I am not only looking at the number of Bills sponsored by His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Jibrin, though commendable and encouraging, my concern in this context is the fact that out of the total Bills, 42, 5 hit security head-on, 4 addresses root causes or systems that make security easier. While 3 of the 4 have already become law, these are Cybercrimes, Explosives, NIMC, and NWDC.

I concur with His Excellency’s Media Aide, Mudasshir when he said in his press release, that, “Sponsoring forty-two bills in three years is, without doubt, a colossal legislative feat. Senator Barau, fondly called ‘Maliya’, has always been known as someone who raises the bar to enviable heights in all his endeavours.

He explained further that, “The Deputy Senate President has achieved this alongside the demanding duties of supporting the Senate President in providing leadership for the Senate. At the sub-regional legislature, the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau as the First Deputy Speaker has been playing a key role in the leadership of the regional assembly.”

Anwar writes from Kano
Sunday, 14th June, 2026

As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the emergence of Dr. Yusuf Jibril (JY), a former Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure Federal Constituency has not come as a surprise to many observers.

After all, this is not his first attempt to secure the seat. However, what remains surprising is his apparent failure to learn some of the fundamental lessons of grassroots politics despite years of political experience.

Politics is not merely about ambition. It is not about appearing on ballot papers every election cycle. It is about relationships, accessibility, empathy, and constant engagement with the people whose votes a candidate seeks. Unfortunately, these are areas in which many constituents believe JY has performed poorly.

Dr. Jibril rose through the ranks of youth politics, a background that ordinarily should have made him a champion of inclusion, consultation, and grassroots mobilization. Instead, many people perceive him as a politician who has distanced himself from the very communities he hopes will elect him.

One of the most persistent criticisms against JY is his alleged inability to build and sustain meaningful relationships across the constituency. Politics thrives on personal connections. Communities expect their leaders and aspiring representatives to share in their moments of joy and stand with them during difficult times. Yet, many constituents complain that JY is rarely visible when communities face challenges or celebrate achievements.

The Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure Federal Constituency comprises more than 30 wards, each with its own unique concerns and political realities. However, critics argue that JY’s engagement appears to be limited to only a handful of wards. Such a narrow political reach raises serious questions about his understanding of the constituency he seeks to represent.

Some political observers even argue that JY has yet to demonstrate the level of grassroots penetration, political maturity, and constituency-wide engagement expected of someone seeking a seat in the House of Representatives.

According to these critics, his current political profile more closely resembles that of a ward-level politician than that of a federal lawmaker. They contend that effective representation at the national level requires a candidate with broad-based acceptance, deep community networks, and a proven record of engagement across all wards.

In their view, the constituency needs a politician with greater political calibre, commitment, visibility, and sustained interaction with the electorate, rather than one whose influence appears confined to limited areas.

A candidate seeking election to the House of Representatives is expected to maintain a presence across all corners of the constituency. Representation begins long before election day. It starts with listening to the people, understanding their concerns, and maintaining regular contact with them. Unfortunately, many voters struggle to identify tangible evidence of sustained engagement by JY.

Perhaps the greatest weakness of his political approach is communication. In modern politics, communication is not optional; it is essential. Before voters can support a candidate, they must know who he is, what he stands for, and why he deserves their trust. Effective communication creates familiarity, inspires confidence, and projects leadership.

Yet many political observers argue that JY has failed to establish strong communication channels with the electorate. His message is often absent from public discourse, while his interactions with constituents appear sporadic and insufficient. In a political environment where visibility and engagement determine electoral success, such shortcomings can prove costly.

A politician who does not communicate effectively leaves room for uncertainty, speculation, and voter apathy. Constituents want leaders who listen, respond, and remain accessible. They want representatives who can address misinformation, explain policy positions, and provide timely feedback on community concerns. These are not luxuries; they are basic expectations.

Responsiveness is another critical measure of political leadership. Voters want to feel heard. They want to know that their concerns matter. When politicians fail to engage with constituents, they create a perception of indifference. This perception, whether fair or not, often translates into political consequences at the ballot box.

Trust remains the currency of politics. Trust is earned through consistent actions, transparent communication, and a visible commitment to the welfare of the people. It cannot be demanded, and it certainly cannot be achieved through occasional appearances during election seasons.

As Dr. Yusuf Jibril embarks on yet another journey to the House of Representatives, he faces a difficult challenge. The constituency is no longer interested in titles, past appointments, or political slogans. The people want evidence of commitment, accessibility, and genuine concern for their welfare.

If JY hopes to convince voters in Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure, he must first confront the growing perception that he remains disconnected from the grassroots. Elections are won through relationships, trust, and continuous engagement—not through ambition alone.

The electorate deserves a representative who is visible, responsive, and deeply rooted in the communities he seeks to serve. Whether JY can transform his political style to meet these expectations remains a question that only the voters can answer.

Buhari Abba writes from Unguwar Liman, Rano.