By Musa Ladan, mnipr
In politics, ambition is frequent. What’s uncommon—particularly in our clime—is the power to restrain ambition in service of a better democratic trigger. Kano State lately witnessed such a uncommon second, and it deserves to be correctly understood, contextualized, and defended in opposition to deliberate misrepresentation.
When Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on twenty sixth January, 2026, the political arithmetic of Kano modified immediately. What adopted was a check—not of energy, however of character. Senator Barau I. Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate and the highest-ranking elected official from Kano State, rose to that check with a readability that left no room for ambiguity.
Standing earlier than occasion leaders, stakeholders, and the general public, Senator Barau made a declaration that struck on the very coronary heart of democratic ethics. He introduced that he had completely stepped down his gubernatorial ambition and pledged his full political equipment and private assist to Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf’s re-election bid below the APC platform. He introduced to the mammoth crowd of occasion devoted that “from immediately anybody who loves and helps me ought to assist Abba Gida Gida’s re-election because the Governor of Kano State in 2027” and that “my political construction is from immediately re-branded as Tinubu-Abba-Barau group”. What will be greater than this as an illustration of democratic maturity, which displays a strategic political realignment in Kano State.
“As democrats, we should at all times put the occasion and the individuals above private ambition,” Senator Barau acknowledged.
“With the approaching of Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf into APC, Kano has gained political stability. I’ve subsequently taken a closing determination to assist him totally for 2027 within the curiosity of unity, stability and progress of Kano State.”
This was not the language of a reluctant politician boxed right into a nook. It was the voice of a statesman who understands that democracy thrives not on infinite inner contestation, however on consensus, order, and respect for political actuality.
But, in a well-known Nigerian twist, readability has been met with insinuation. Some have sought to recommend—with out proof—that Senator Barau’s public declaration masks a covert agenda. Such claims don’t merely insult his intelligence; they disregard his political file.
Senator Barau’s profession, over time and significantly since 2023, has been outlined by occasion stabilisation, not subversion. At moments when APC in Kano confronted existential pressure, he selected bridge-building over political chess recreation or brinkmanship. As he as soon as put it, “Our occasion survived tough moments as a result of we selected dialogue over division and unity over ego.” That philosophy didn’t instantly evaporate with Governor Yusuf’s defection.
It is usually necessary to situate this second inside Senator Barau’s distinctive political standing. As Deputy President of the Senate, he isn’t just one other aspirant nursing an area ambition. He’s a nationwide determine, a principal officer of the legislature, and the second-highest-ranking elected official within the North-West. With that stature comes accountability—one he has repeatedly demonstrated he understands.
“I didn’t come this far in politics to be remembered as a divider,” Senator Barau has stated.
“I wish to be remembered as somebody who strengthened democracy and labored for the progress of Kano State and Nigeria as a result of I’m in Politics to serve the individuals.”
That assertion captures the essence of his determination. Supporting Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf was not an act of weak spot; it was an act of private conviction and institutional self-discipline. It strengthened APC’s unity in Kano and despatched a robust sign that the occasion is able to managing competitors with out self-destruction.
Past politics, Senator Barau’s tenure as Deputy President of the Senate has yielded tangible dividends for Kano State and the North West area —from federal tasks to legislative advocacy that has amplified the state’s voice on the centre. His affect has been deployed not for factional supremacy, however for enduring legacies. The information are evident in all sides of growth in Kano State and past – from his facilitation of the institution of tertiary instructional establishments, assist to the safety businesses, youth empowerment initiatives, assist to the tertiary well being establishments, the overseas and native scholarship programmes, the Barau Agricultural Revolution Initiative for the North West, and the institution of North West Improvement Fee, amongst others too quite a few to be listed.
The remark of His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio in the course of the conferment of honorary doctorate diploma on Senator Barau Jibrin by the Bayero College Kano in early 2024 could be very instructive right here. Upon listening to the loaded quotation of Senator Barau Jibrin and his achievements, the Senate President famous that “I thank God I didn’t miss the chance to be in Kano for this event… if as a senator the DSP had executed a lot for Kano State one wonders what else the Governor can be doing”. This underscores Senator Akpabio’s admiration for the large contributions of Senator Barau to the event of Kano State. With Governor Abba now in APC alongside Senator Barau Kano will stay unbeatable by way of dividends of democracy.
Senator Barau understands his position as a nationwide chief so nicely and doesn’t take it without any consideration. He understands the essence of a lifetime of goal past priviledge. “My accountability on the nationwide stage should translate into actual advantages for my individuals,” he has constantly maintained.
In an period the place political actors usually converse in coded language and function by proxies, Senator Barau selected openness. “Politics will need to have honour,” he remarked lately. “When choices are taken within the collective curiosity, leaders will need to have the braveness to face by them.” It was for that precept that he was advising his supporters who delighted in visiting him in Abuja to register their loyalty to attend for the official ceremony for the defection of Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf in Kano so that everybody works for the success of the Get together. That braveness is what Kano witnessed on twenty sixth Januray, 2026.
At a time when democracy in Nigeria is weakened extra by inner sabotage than exterior opposition, Senator Barau Jibrin’s conduct affords a lesson price amplifying: that true management is measured not by how fiercely one clings to ambition, however by how responsibly one lets go.
Historical past is unlikely to recollect rumours. It can bear in mind decisions. And on this defining second, Senator Barau selected democracy, occasion unity, and the long-term stability of Kano State.
That selection is the mark of an unusual statesman – Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jibrin, PhD, CFR.
• Ladan, mnipr is a aide to Barau Jibrin