Deputy Senate President Breaks Silence on Kano Governor's Move to APC
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has publicly revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally directed leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Kano State to provide comprehensive support to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of his high-profile defection to the ruling party. This significant disclosure was made during an engagement with journalists in Kano on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the state's political landscape.
Presidential Directive for Unity and Governance
According to Senator Barau, President Tinubu's explicit instruction was strategically aimed at fostering greater unity, enhanced cooperation, and more effective governance within Kano State. The Deputy Senate President emphasized that the President specifically advised all party stakeholders to work closely with Governor Yusuf while carefully avoiding any actions that might potentially distract him from delivering substantial good governance to the people of Kano.
"It is a day I will sleep happily because our party has gained a governor. For over a year, we have been receiving decampees from different parties, including the NNPP. Now, by God's mercy, we have received a sitting governor of a state like Kano," Barau declared with visible satisfaction, characterizing the governor's defection as a major strategic gain for the APC.
Shift in Political Focus and Priorities
The Deputy Senate President noted that the party's primary focus in Kano must now decisively shift toward supporting Governor Yusuf to achieve meaningful success, stressing that internal unity within the APC ranks remains absolutely critical to sustainable development. "What is important now is to support him and also advise him, including with prayers. The situation in Kano demands that we come together in a democratic way to help him succeed," he elaborated during the media briefing.
Call for Sacrifice and Political Unity
Barau firmly stated that following the governor's formal entry into the APC, all forms of political rivalry and personal ambition within the party should be conscientiously set aside in the broader interest of political stability and progressive development. "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," he asserted with conviction.
Drawing from his extensive political experience spanning more than three decades, Barau recalled specific instances where he voluntarily stepped aside for party unity, including during contests for leadership positions in the National Assembly and previous governorship races in Kano State. He warned that denying Governor Yusuf the opportunity to secure a second term would fundamentally undermine ongoing developmental efforts and negatively affect governance outcomes across the state.
Governor's Autonomy and Rebranded Political Structure
The Deputy Senate President further stressed that Governor Yusuf is now completely free to run the state government without undue pressure from party leaders, including in the crucial appointment of commissioners and other key officials. "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," Barau clarified, highlighting the administration's commitment to non-interference.
In a symbolic move reflecting the new political alignment, Barau announced the strategic rebranding of his political support structure. The previously known Tinubu/Barau Organisation will now be officially recognized as the Tinubu, Abba, Barau Organisation, signaling the integration of Governor Yusuf into the party's leadership framework. "In welcoming the governor, I urged all my supporters to queue behind him for the development of Kano State. When I said Nigeria, the crowd responded 'Sai Tinubu,' and when I said Kano, they replied 'Sai Abba Gida-Gida,'" he recounted from recent political gatherings.
Renewed Hope Agenda and Political Momentum
Barau attributed the growing wave of defections to the APC directly to the impactful Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, which he said continues to attract politicians genuinely seeking to deliver more dividends of democracy to their constituents. Reaffirming his unwavering commitment to public service, the Deputy Senate President concluded by assuring President Tinubu of his "unalloyed commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, as we work together to take Nigeria to the next level where governance works for all."
This political development follows the recent resignation of Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, son of NNPP national leader Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from his position as commissioner for youth and sports development in Kano State, further indicating the shifting political dynamics within the region.
