By Abba Anwar

It is constitutionally acknowledged through Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that, Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jibrin represents Kano North Senatorial District, in the 10th Assembly /Senate. The Deputy Senate President (DSP).

While it is so amazing to know that his legislative efforts, apart from meaningful contributions during plenary sessions, as expected of each Legislator, are visible as manifested in the kind of Bills he sponsors for immediate benefit of all parts of the country, he still maintains respect for all Distinguished Senators and commands same.

This brief piece is not only looking at the Bills he sponsored within a period of two years, but the piece is only celebrating his second year as a Distinguished Senator of the 10th Assembly /Senate. So cited Bills are picked from pool of many years back.

Understanding the nature of Bills he sponsors, speaks volumes towards a particular direction that, he fits national elective position, not Senatorial District. This, is just my personal opinion. Which is guaranteed by our Constitution. You may have yours. You may decide not to have any. Is a personal choice.

As clearly observed by many, his main concern, from day one, was and still is, Nigeria, Nigeria, Nigeria, as one indivisible political entity. He does that out of patriotism and nationalism. Just examine the kind of Bills he sponsored within the span of two years. And other Bills he sponsored before he became the Deputy Senate President.

Landmark Bills that aimed at national cohesion, transparency, accountability in governance and all-embracing engagement of all segments of the nation, for national development, are his major concerns.

While I present some of the landmark Bills, but not in chronological order, let me begin with the Bill for his primary constituency, Kano North Senatorial District. Meaning Federal Polytechnic, Kabo (Establishment) Bill (2023). He did that with the intent of aiding technical education in the Zone. He understands clearly that, skills are the other wing of national development bird. The Institution is there on ground in Kabo, for my readers’ perusal.

For the development of his geo-political zone, North West, he sponsored an all-important Bill and followed same to its logical conclusion, as it was assented by the President. This is North West Development Commission (NWDC) Act (2024). It was established to critically address developmental needs in the Northwest.

As abandonment of projects becomes government’s habits, at all levels, as his heart “bleeds” for that out of true patriotism, he sponsored Development Planning and Projects Continuity Bill (2023). A Bill that aimed at checkmating abandoned projects scattered around the country. With this Bill the era of abandoned projects would now become history.

With the advancement of modern technology, as criminal – minds turn their effort into cyber spaces, the Deputy Senate President believes that government should do something visible to curtail the menace, he therefore sponsored Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Bill (2023). Apart from strengthening our digital security framework and mechanism, Nigeria’s image is automatically strengthened at the global arena.

We praise Almighty Allah that, this national material is from Kano state. With President Tinubu as his Boss.

Without any hesitation or ethnic jingoism, the Distinguished Senator sponsored Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron Bill (2017). His belief in strong economy through enhancing maritime education, influenced his choice to sponsor such a Bill. He always sees the nation before him, not a fraction of it. As a detribalised political leader of substance.

DSP’s mind goes up to the South South for strengthening technical teacher training, in far away Bayelsa state, as he sponsored Federal College of Education (Technical), Aghoro Bill (2019). His role in the Senate reminds all that, we have at our disposal, a leader who believes in the development of the country at all cost. Without marginalization of any type. A quentissential political icon.

Like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s deep sense of diversifying national economy, with, among other things, concentration on solid minerals, DSP sponsored College of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk Bill (2019), to critically aid Tinubu’s line of thinking in this strategic area. Which will ultimately support our mining industry, for global competition.

Barau’s political exposure and analytical mind encouraged him to think that, putting in place Colleges of Education, was not the only thing that could make them excel, hence the need for a strong framework. He immediately sponsored Federal Colleges of Education Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill (2019). With the sole intention of putting in place, reforms for good governance, transparent and efficient administration in Colleges of Education across the nation.

His unwavering effort in making sure that our students get access to higher education, with transparent process, he sponsored JAMB Act (Amendment) Bill (2019). Where admissions and its entire process becomes more transparent and efficient. Barau for all, as students and potential students have their good place in his mind.

His major concern and feeling for all Nigerians prompted him to sponsor Federal University of Aquatic Studies, Ogbaru Bill (2019), in far away Anambra state. Ogbaru is a Local Government Area with its headquarters in Atani. When you visit the place you would come to term with me, how brilliant is the Senator in understanding Nigerian states. The Bill was rightly sponsored to promote Aquatic Sciences. An institution needed long time before now.

To also make closer, university education and rural or semi-urban settlements, the DSP sponsored Federal University, Uga Bill (2019). A remote place located in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Uga people celebrated Senator Barau when they heard about his effort in sponsoring the Bill. They appreciated that access to university education would be improved in their local communities, courtesy Senator Barau Jibrin representing Kano North Senatorial District.

As at 2024, the Deputy Senate President was the highest Bill sponsor with over 21 Bills to his credit. This tells us how prepared he was even before he was elected to be a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. People with vision, foresight, action plan, who are ready to serve not to be served and who are well prepared for the job.

With his political maturity, acceptability across North, his detribalised-mind for serving all sections of the country – Bills he sponsored attest to this- his good working relationship with his colleagues and his absolute confidence in President Tinubu’s administration, his absolute loyalty in Tinubu as a man, Tinubu as an institution and Tinubu as Nigeria’s President, give me fresh perspective to visualize him as being much closer to President Tinubu in 2027, for national assignment. Whatever that means.

Barau’s excellence in the art of administration, with deepest sense of humor and appreciative political participation for better spaces and time, were some of the leading indices, if you wish, that were measured for his election as Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament.

So even at sub-regional level, the Deputy Senate President’s contribution to the survival of democracy, peaceful Africa and promotion of good governance is acknowledged.

Anwar wrote from Kano and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
24th May, 2025

By Abba Anwar

In preparation for the celebration of the second year anniversary for the 10th Assembly/Senate in the current dispensation, Opinion Poll experts under the aegis of Media-Legislative Engagement for Democracy (M-Len4D) issued an official statement today, Wednesday, unveiling the result of the poll, they conducted in the last two years, across 19 Northern states, as Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has emerged as the most visible Legislator in the media, from North.

A report signed by the National Coordinator of the platform, James Audu Dogo, reveals that, “At whatever length, the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, appears to be the most visible and responsive Senator in both the Nigerian media and African media respectively.”

His globally acknowledged position as the Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, they argued,”… and his effort in sub-regional integration, makes him visible in the media nationally and on the African continent.”

Back home, poll experts disclose that, the Distinguished Senator, presented dozens of Bills, to his credit, to the floor of the red chamber. Many were passed. As others are at different legislative stages.

Out of the total Northern Senators included in the process, DSP scores above 95 percent. When it comes to public presentation towards his primary constituency. As he becomes frequent visitor to his primary constituency. Where he briefs electorate as and when due. Not a seat-warmer legislator.

Which, they revealed that, ” Nigerians clearly understand the quality of all the Bills he started, laboured, nurtured and, with the help of other Distinguished Senators, gave birth to many of them as Laws currently.”

The result shows that, Distinguished Jibrin, faces reality whenever he presides over plenary sessions. Most often than not, according to the opinion poll, the Senator’s brilliance, know-how, good human relations, gentleman approach to issues as well as sophistication of legislative work, after being encapsulated by dedication, patriotism and political will, all centred around producing a courageous and reserved Senator of global repute and standard. Da ka gan shi ka ga nutsattse.

Many, according to the result of the poll, believe that the Distinguished Senator, enjoys the good support of his colleagues as the Deputy Senate President. That, they argued, “Makes more room for harmony to take centre-stage during plenary sessions, discussions, arguments and lobbying aspect of legislative power play.”

With such opinion polls, it has become glaringly clear that, Senator Jibrin has become one of the leading voices of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.

Though, I stand to be corrected, up to this time, almost two years of the existence of the 10th Assembly, no Senator or Member of House of Representatives, welcomes politicians from other divide. The way he does. Not minding where such defectors come from. But largely from New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), as Kano state government being controlled by NNPP. So also from other opposition parties. Not only from Kano, but from across other states. It is there everywhere in the media.

As reflected recently by the Deputy Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr Emmanuel Oladesu, of 2nd May, 2025, in page 27, under the caption “Barau and APC membership drive in Kano.”

What is most striking in that piece is where Oladesu quoted Distinguished Senator Jibrin, to have said, during one of the occasions marking the exit of some hundreds of members of the opposition parties to APC, “APC is a party of inclusion, where every member enjoys equal rights to contest elections and contribute to nation-building.

When this government came into power under the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there were a lot of problems on the ground. But after two years, we have started to see that these economic policies are yielding some fruits.”

The Deputy Editor’s account gives out a straight-jacket analysis of how impactful and powerful are DSP’s commitment for the expansion, survival and strengthening process of the ruling party, the APC. I am yet to see other legislators doing something closer to Senator Jibrin’s.

This and other accounts from different observers, help to genuinely authenticate the result of this opinion poll rating DSP as the most visible Senator in the entire North. Exaggeration? Rule it out! Still stand to be corrected, anyway.

It is indeed worthy of note, to understand how critical DSP’s contributions to human development in his primary constituency (Kano North), Kano state and across the entire North West region. All geared towards his patriotic intent for national development. And promotion of peace and tranquility.

Not to talk of politics or political engagement, just examine his greater concern for education of our people, youth and women particularly. His Scholarship Scheme speaks volume around that area. The choice of fields of study, in both indigenous and foreign institutions of higher learning, tells much about his foresight as a global citizen.

Courses that are globally recognized with modern touches, like Software Engineering, Robotic Engineering, Forensic Engineering, among many other global fields of study. That are raining profusely across nations, continents and world at large.

This is foresight, hard earned capacity, illustrative engagements, encouraging philanthropy, enduring public responsibility, political maturity and sagacity, interwoven interests (his and society’s), high level patriotism and clear understanding of worldview.

I concur with an inexcusable determination that, DSP’s interventions in many areas, like creation of young Millionaires through his well designed agricultural project, – also for food security purpose – scholarship schemes, his indelible mark in easing transport system in Kano North, with the introduction of Kano North Transport Service with over 100 vehicles and how his generous touch being trickled down to many ‘long abandoned grassroot politicians,’ when he remembered hundreds of past and present party leaders, at all levels in the state, among others, provide all corridors for media attention, media scrutiny and increased public interest.

The creation of North West Development Commission, alone, looking at the role he played, is more than enough, a reason to always be in the media perpetually.

So all the needed indices are there, factors are there, reasons behind his emergence as the most visible Northern Senator in the media are there, and platforms to corroborate poll’s result are also there, live and direct.

Anwar, was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
14th May, 2025

In a democracy, disagreement is normal—but distortion of facts and personal attacks under the guise of political commentary must not go unchallenged. I am compelled to respond to recent remarks made by Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso at his residence on Miller Road—not out of malice, but out of duty. My purpose is to correct misleading narratives, reaffirm our stance, and, most importantly, clarify whom we stand with.

Let this be clear: The decision by myself and other respected leaders—Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, Hon. Abdullahi Sani Rogo, Hon. Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini, Hon. Idrees Dankawu, Rt. Hon. Zubairu Hamza Masu, Hon. Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada, Hon. Badamasi Ayuba Dambatta, Hon. Nura Muhammad Dankadai, and Rt. Hon. Alassan Abubakar Kibiya—to leave the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and join the All Progressives Congress (APC) was neither hasty nor self-serving. It was a deliberate choice, rooted in the realities on the ground and our commitment to the people we represent.

We are not political ornaments who thrive on social media hype or cult followings. We are grassroots politicians who earned our mandates through years of community service, direct engagement, and trust. The support we received in Rano, Kibiya, Bunkure, and across Kano South during the 2023 elections was not a gift from any individual. It was a vote of confidence in our personal track records—not blind allegiance to a political logo or a one-man brand.

Senator Kwankwaso’s description of our defection as “a political sin” is not only laughable but deeply ironic. This is a man who moved from the PDP to the APC in 2015, returned to the PDP in 2018, and later joined the NNPP in 2022. If political movement is a sin, then Kwankwaso himself has much to confess. The difference is that we moved for progress—not mere political survival.

What is truly disappointing, however, is the tone of his remarks—laced with veiled threats, dismissive language, and a refusal to acknowledge the shifting political tide in Kano. That is not leadership; it is political entitlement. The era of one man dictating the future of many is over.

Let us also recall: This same Senator Kwankwaso, while criticizing others for aligning with the APC, was seen just last year seeking political favors in France—not for the people of Kano, but for his own political survival. Actions speak louder than words, and the people are watching.

Since joining the APC, we have delivered projects to our constituencies, spanning critical sectors such as education, agriculture, and infrastructure. These are tangible results—not empty slogans. We measure progress by what the people experience, not by the volume of rhetoric from a podium.

We urge our supporters to remain calm and focused. Politics must not be reduced to a battle of egos or blind loyalty to personalities. It must remain a vehicle for development, justice, and a better life for all.

We stand firmly with the people of Kano State. We stand for their future.

Signed
Rt. Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Air Force
Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency, Kano State
10th May 2025