By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, on Wednesday broke his silence on growing calls for him to run as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election, declaring unwavering loyalty to the President.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on the upcoming zonal public hearings for the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Barau said he would do “whatever the President wants” of him when the time comes.
“I’m 100% loyal to the President,” Barau said. “If he tells me to do anything in 2027, I’ll do it. He’s my political father. Whatever he wants, I will do it. But for now, this is a time for governance, not politics.”
Barau urged political groups promoting his potential candidacy to focus their efforts on supporting the Tinubu administration. “Frankly, I don’t know those groups. I thank them for believing in me, but this is not the time. Support the President instead,” he said.
He praised Tinubu’s efforts to transform the country amid inherited challenges, describing him as “open-minded” and “kind-hearted,” particularly in resolving political issues in Kano that helped secure Barau’s Senate ticket and eventual rise to Deputy Senate President.
“When we had issues in Kano, the President stepped in. He stood by me. That’s why I say our political destinies are tied together,” Barau added. “We are both from the Progressive fold. I’m a progressive to the core. Loyalty is a key value for us.”
On the Constitution Review, Barau disclosed that 59 bills and 31 proposals have already been submitted. He called for more public participation through memoranda and outlined the planned venues and leadership for zonal public hearings:
- South-South: Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, chaired by Senate President Godswill Akpabio or his representative
- North-West: Kano, chaired by Senator Barau Jibrin
- South-West: Lagos, chaired by Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
- North-Central: Jos, chaired by Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru
- North-East: Maiduguri, chaired by Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno
- South-East: Enugu, chaired by Deputy Chief Whip Peter Nwebonyi
The public hearings aim to gather broader national input on constitutional amendments, Barau said, as part of the Senate’s efforts to deepen democracy and reform governance in Nigeria.
