Stop Politicising Security Issues, Barau Cautions Kano Governor
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has advised Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to desist from turning security issues into political disputes and instead focus on tackling the worsening challenges confronting the state.
Barau’s comments followed an accusation by the Kano State Government alleging that the lawmaker made remarks capable of jeopardising ongoing security operations.
The state’s claim was issued through the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya.
In a statement released by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau dismissed the allegation as unfounded and demanded that the government produce evidence of the supposed remark.
He described the accusation as a deliberate attempt to smear his image. “The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has been drawn to baseless and malicious claims by the Kano State Government. At no point did Senator Barau make any comment that could hinder security efforts,” the statement read.
Barau insisted that Nigeria’s broader insecurity— including the recent activities of bandits in parts of Kano— required unity, cooperation, and collective action, not political distractions.
He stressed that he has consistently supported security agencies and local authorities in efforts to maintain peace both within the state and across the country.
“We challenge the government to present the video in which the Deputy President of the Senate allegedly made such a statement,” the media aide added.
The Senator, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, accused Governor Yusuf of neglecting the core responsibilities of governance. He urged him to refocus on policies that would restore Kano’s lost economic strength.
“Kano was once just behind Lagos in terms of growth and prosperity. Poor leadership has pushed the state backward. We possess all the resources needed to reclaim our past glory, but the governor must show the will to act,” Barau said.
