THE Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally directed leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State to fully support Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf following his decision to defect to the ruling party, stressing that unity and cooperation are critical to effective governance in the state.
News Point Nigeria reports that Barau made the revelation on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Kano, describing the development as a major political milestone not only for the APC but for the future stability and progress of Kano State.
According to the Deputy Senate President, President Tinubu, whom he described as a highly experienced and strategic political leader, urged party stakeholders to avoid distractions, internal rivalries and actions capable of undermining the governor’s focus on governance.
“It is a day I will sleep happily because our party has gained a governor. For more than a year, we have been receiving decampees from different parties, including the NNPP. But today, by God’s mercy, we have received a sitting governor of a very important state like Kano,” Barau said.
He explained that the President’s instruction was clear: APC leaders in Kano must work closely with Governor Yusuf and give him the political space required to deliver good governance to the people.
Barau stressed that with the governor’s defection, the priority of the APC in Kano must now shift from political competition to collective responsibility, adding that unity within the party was non-negotiable.
“What is important now is to support him and also advise him, including with prayers. The situation in Kano requires that we come together in a democratic way to help the governor succeed,” he stated.
The Deputy Senate President further disclosed that all forms of political rivalry, personal ambitions and succession debates within the APC should be suspended in the overall interest of peace, stability and development in the state.
“That is why we said issues of aspirations and contests should be dropped. I have dropped mine. If truly we are for the people, then we must support him,” Barau declared.
According to him, any attempt to deny Governor Yusuf the opportunity to seek a second term would disrupt continuity in governance and undermine ongoing development efforts across the state.
Drawing from his long political career, Barau recalled instances where he sacrificed personal ambition to preserve party unity, both at the National Assembly level and during previous governorship contests in Kano.
“I have always believed in sacrifice for the collective good. If the governor had been in the APC from the beginning, I would not even have talked about contesting. Now that he is in our party, we must support him fully,” he said.
Barau also made it clear that Governor Yusuf would enjoy complete independence in running the affairs of the state, including the appointment of commissioners and key officials, without interference from party leaders.
“The governor is at liberty to appoint commissioners. We will not push him. If he asks me to nominate, I will, but we will not distract him,” he added.
He emphasised that President Tinubu fully understands the complexities of Nigerian politics and has encouraged APC leaders in Kano to embrace Governor Yusuf as one family.
“For him to join us, we are now brothers from the same mother. We did not push anyone to join us; they came willingly because of the good policies of the APC,” Barau said.
The Deputy Senate President noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration was a major attraction for politicians across party lines, including Governor Yusuf, who he said defected to enable Kano people benefit more from federal support and development programmes.
Meanwhile, Barau announced a rebranding of his political structure to reflect the new political alignment in the state.
He revealed that the Tinubu/Barau Organisation would now be renamed the Tinubu, Abba, Barau Organisation, urging all his supporters to rally behind Governor Yusuf for the progress of Kano State.
“When I said Nigeria, the crowd responded ‘Sai Tinubu,’ and when I said Kano, they replied ‘Sai Abba Gida-Gida,’” he said.
Barau concluded by reaffirming his commitment to public service, noting that his over three decades in politics have been driven by a desire to serve Kano State and Nigeria.
He also pledged his continued loyalty to President Tinubu and the APC’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I reassure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of my unalloyed commitment as we work together to take Nigeria to the next level where governance truly works for all,” he said.