DSP Barau, National Interest and APC’s Soul in Northern Nigeria
From Abba Anwar
Believe it or not, Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau Jibrin, who also doubles as First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, among many other legislative responsibilities, has become a national figure, whose relevance in the chemistry of democratic rule in Nigeria, is not debatable neither rejectable. With unambiguous dismissive mind.
Not only one of the strongest political figures in his state (Kano), his good relationship with other heavyweights in the state, is not only desirable, but imperative. He also inculcates that immediately he assumed the mantle of leadership.
While his intervention cuts across all parts of the state and indeed parts of Northern Nigeria, his primary constituency, Kano North Senatorial District, is neither shortlived nor annihilated. Multi-tasking Senator with substance and know how.
If it is true that, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, still needs votes from Kano and elsewhere from the North, in the next general election of 2027, DSP’s continued engagement with real electorate should be appreciated and bring to the fore in the way others will be thrilled and encouraged. It is also important to understand that, as his efforts transcend Kano, his influence follows suit.
Yes the Deputy Senate President is not the only factor that can bring goodies to the ruling APC from Kano and elsewhere, but he is one of the major players whose efforts should neither be neglected nor sidelined. A research I conducted with other professionals about the weight and influence of this Senator, across the North, will soon be out. It provides scientific explanation with clear indices, of how he achieved the feats.
To begin with, I can say, from his constituency there are other powerful hands that also call shot when it comes to popular support for party survival. As it is the case across the state and other parts of the North.
Some of them can only influence their local communities, which is also important, while others have all it takes to be visible across all the 44 local governments in the state. As the former are needed, the latter are stronger, more cheerful, strategic and perfectly coordinated.
By national interest, I look at the overloaded national assignments he shoulders. How patriotic and committed he is to such responsibilities. The result – oriented approach he chooses to tread, for the overall development of the party, the APC, APC’s soul search in Kano, Northern Nigeria and re-engaging the party in the forthcoming elections also at the higher level.
If one looks at DSP’s deep rooted interest in promoting all parts of the country, through his wider legislative engagements, from ever – presence on the floor of the Red chamber, informed contributions while in sessions, enlightened Bills presentations, participation in debates with informed eloquence, he will but agree with me that, Senator Jibrin is an illustrious son of Kano with wider Nigerian touch and feeling.
As I am privy to some of his behind-the-scene coordination of One Nigeria Project, to further strengthen all ties among all sections of the country, some people somewhere who are also aware, know that, DSP’s best wish is to promote national interest as a wheel for national integration and development.
Without fear of mincing words, let me reiterate my long held opinion that, this gentleman has been under Divine protection and promotion. Which eventually places him to be steps ahead of others in the national scheme of things.
Understanding him as a conveyer belt for APC’s victory in the North, particularly in future elections, his gentleman approach to issues, his strength in the promotion of national interest and his humane policies, are indeed his political engine room. Humility pays. Observe him and be abreast with his interactions before you reach any conclusion.
The nucleus of Senator Jibrin’s political behavior is his firm belief in one Nigeria. Both his style of leadership and unwavering patriotic engagements are but clear signs of his informed understanding of effort control with high sense of dignity and responsibility.
Believing in the corporate existence of the country in a rancor – free political atmosphere is neither tantalizing nor growling. His comprehension of this, is both encouraging and inspiring.
That belief alone is securely sound and energetically instilling. It is not secret anymore, for whoever cares to listen and understand, how DSP’s national assignment, as Deputy Senate President, is discharged with diligence, coherence and compliance. Diligently discharging his constitutional responsibility, aiming the best result and complying with the set rules and regulations.
Since the return of democracy from 1999, I am yet to see a Deputy Senate President whose presence at the Red chamber was felt by all sections of the country, courtesy his concern over other parts of the country apart from the region he comes from. Either through Bills presentation that are exclusive to other sections not where he comes from or thorough his brotherly connection, as a true compatriot.
Bills presented by Senator Jibrin, some of them were exclusively meant for other parts of the country. That makes him to be extraordinary legislator whose visibility and legislative actions are felt across all regions of the land.
Let me share some of such Bills that were presented by the Senator and were not exclusive to his primary constituency. These are Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Bill (2023), Federal College of Education (Technical), Aghoro Bill (2019), in Bayelsa state, College of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk, Bill (2019), Federal University of Aquatic Studies, Ogharu, Bill (2019), in Anambra state and University of Maritime Studies, Oron, Bill (2017), Development Planning and Projects Continuity Bill (2023), among others.
His actions inform Nigerians that, deep down him, from the bottom of his heart, he believes and accepts that, he is working for the entire nation, not only for his primary constituency alone.
In the past, as Senator Jibrin being the Deputy Senate President, attracts awareness and attention across length and breadth of Nigeria, because of his decent and sound legislative performances, some Deputies Senate President, prompted to become centres of curse and condemnation to themselves, their parties and to their governments.
I am not challenging anybody, anyway, but I am yet to come across a past Senate Deputy President who performed wonderfully well in both his legislative activities and party engagement. Not to talk of philanthropic interventions.
I still believe that the soul of APC across the length and breadth of our great nation, can only be found in vivid terms, through coordinated networking and meaningful synergy of all actors, not pretenders, from both sides of the coin.
Anwar writes from Kano
Wednesday, 30th July, 2027