Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has cautioned Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, against politicising the state’s security challenges, urging him instead to focus on addressing the issues confronting Kano.
Senator Barau’s response followed allegations by the state government that his recent comments were capable of undermining ongoing security operations. The allegations were made after the 34th Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Yusuf.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau dismissed the claims as “false, reckless, and malicious,” challenging the government to present evidence of any remark capable of aggravating insecurity in the state.
“It is unfortunate that the state government has resorted to fabricating lies in an attempt to tarnish the growing reputation of the Deputy President of the Senate,” the statement said. “At no time did Senator Barau make any statement capable of undermining security efforts. Instead, he has consistently collaborated with stakeholders to tackle insecurity in Kano and across the country.”
Barau, who also serves as First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, urged the governor to “wake up from slumber” and provide purposeful leadership to restore Kano’s long-standing reputation for prosperity.
“Until governance was relegated to the background, Kano was a close second to Lagos in terms of prosperity. Misgovernance has eroded this. The governor must take steps to return the state to its glorious days,” he said.
Highlighting his own contributions, Senator Barau noted he had donated operational vehicles to police formations across his senatorial district, provided motorcycles to officers in Kano North, renovated parts of the state police headquarters, and built police stations in several communities. He has also supported the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state.
He further facilitated the establishment of major security training institutions, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) training college in Gwarzo, the Police Service Commission training institute in Kabo, and the Nigeria Immigration Service training school in Bichi.
In addition, he installed solar-powered streetlights across his senatorial district and other parts of the state to aid nighttime patrols.
“The state government should emulate his efforts instead of casting aspersions on his personality,” the statement added.
