Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has expressed unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and any decision he may take ahead of the 2027 general election, including the possibility of selecting him as a running mate. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Barau stated his full commitment to the President’s directives.
“Whatever the President asks me to do, I will do — 100 per cent,” Barau said when responding to questions about growing calls from political support groups urging President Tinubu to consider him as a potential vice-presidential candidate. “He is my political father. If he calls on me to work with him, I will simply say, ‘Thank you, sir,’ and I will do it.”
Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, emphasized that discussions about the 2027 elections were premature, adding that the nation’s current priority should be on effective governance. According to him, political discourse should take a backseat while leaders work to address the country’s pressing challenges.
He praised President Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as a compassionate and broad-minded leader who is committed to repositioning Nigeria. Barau also acknowledged the President’s personal support during his own political struggles in Kano, which, he noted, strengthened their bond.
“The President is the father of the nation. Right now, we stand by him, we are working with him, and we want him to succeed. When he succeeds, we all succeed,” he added, reiterating the need for collective support of Tinubu’s administration.
The Deputy Senate President revealed that while some groups have approached him with aspirations for higher office, he has advised them to instead channel their energy towards backing Tinubu’s governance agenda. He cautioned against premature politicking and urged focus on national development.
Barau reaffirmed his ideological alignment with the progressive political movement and highlighted loyalty as a cornerstone of his political identity. “I am a progressive to the core, and loyalty is something I cherish deeply. I am 100 per cent loyal to Mr President,” he declared.
Shifting focus to legislative matters, Barau announced ongoing preparations for the upcoming zonal public hearings organized by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review. He said the hearings will examine 59 bills and 31 proposals already submitted for constitutional amendment.
He added that the hearings will take place across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with opportunities for citizens to submit memoranda and participate in the review process. “We welcome more contributions from Nigerians. This is a people-driven process,” Barau noted.
The zonal hearings will be held in Ikot Ekpene (South-South), Kano (North-West), Lagos (South-West), Jos (North-Central), Maiduguri (North-East), and Enugu (South-East), with each zone chaired by senior members of the Senate, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Barau himself.
