Tinubu asked Kano APC leaders to back Yusuf ahead of defection — Barau
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructed leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State to rally behind Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of his decision to join the ruling party.
Barau disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Kano, noting that the president emphasised unity and cooperation as key to stable governance in the state.
According to him, President Tinubu advised APC stakeholders to work closely with the governor and avoid internal actions that could distract the administration from delivering on its responsibilities to the people.
Describing the development as a major gain for the party, Barau said the APC was pleased to welcome a sitting governor into its fold after months of receiving defectors from other parties, including the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
“This is a day I will sleep happily because our party has gained a governor. For over a year, people have been joining us from different political parties, but receiving a sitting governor of Kano is significant,” he said.
The deputy senate president stressed that the priority of the APC in Kano must now be to ensure the success of Governor Yusuf’s administration, arguing that internal unity would be critical to achieving meaningful development.
“What matters most now is to support him in every way possible and also advise him where necessary. Kano’s situation requires all of us to come together democratically so that he can succeed,” Barau stated.
He added that all forms of political rivalry within the APC should be put aside following the governor’s entry into the party, including personal ambitions ahead of future elections.
“That is why we agreed that issues of aspirations and contests should be dropped. I have dropped mine. If our commitment is truly to the people, then we must support him,” he said.
Barau warned that denying the governor the opportunity to complete a second term would disrupt ongoing efforts and negatively affect governance in the state.
Reflecting on his political career, he said he had previously stepped aside on several occasions in the interest of party cohesion, including during leadership contests in the National Assembly and past governorship races in Kano.
“I have always believed in sacrifice for the collective interest. If the governor had been in the APC from the start, I would not have considered contesting. Now that he is with us, full support is the only option,” he said.
He further assured that Governor Yusuf would be allowed to run the government without undue pressure from party leaders, including in matters relating to appointments.
“The governor is free to appoint commissioners as he deems fit. We will not impose anyone on him. If he asks for nominations, that is a different matter, but we will not distract him,” Barau explained.
Barau said President Tinubu understood the political realities in Kano and had urged APC leaders to embrace the governor as part of one political family.
“For him to join us, we are now brothers from the same home. Nobody was forced to come. People are joining because of the policies and direction of the APC,” he said.
He added that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration had continued to attract politicians to the party, including Governor Yusuf, who he said defected in order to deliver more development to Kano State.
Meanwhile, Barau announced that his political support structure would be rebranded to reflect the new political alignment in the state.
He said the Tinubu/Barau Organisation would now be known as the Tinubu, Abba, Barau Organisation, calling on his supporters to align fully with the governor’s leadership.
“In welcoming the governor, I urged all my supporters to stand firmly behind him for the development of Kano. When I said Nigeria, the response was ‘Sai Tinubu,’ and when I said Kano, the response was ‘Sai Abba Gida-Gida,’” he said.
Barau reaffirmed his commitment to public service, stating that his more than three decades in politics had been guided by a desire to serve Kano State and the country.
He also pledged continued loyalty to President Tinubu and his administration, saying he would remain committed to advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda.