By Abba Anwar
In preparation for the celebration of the second year anniversary for the 10th Assembly/Senate in the current dispensation, Opinion Poll experts under the aegis of Media-Legislative Engagement for Democracy (M-Len4D) issued an official statement today, Wednesday, unveiling the result of the poll, they conducted in the last two years, across 19 Northern states, as Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has emerged as the most visible Legislator in the media, from North.
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A report signed by the National Coordinator of the platform, James Audu Dogo, reveals that, “At whatever length, the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, appears to be the most visible and responsive Senator in both the Nigerian media and African media respectively.”
His globally acknowledged position as the Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, they argued,”… and his effort in sub-regional integration, makes him visible in the media nationally and on the African continent.”
Back home, poll experts disclose that, the Distinguished Senator, presented dozens of Bills, to his credit, to the floor of the red chamber. Many were passed. As others are at different legislative stages.
Out of the total Northern Senators included in the process, DSP scores above 95 percent. When it comes to public presentation towards his primary constituency. As he becomes frequent visitor to his primary constituency. Where he briefs electorate as and when due. Not a seat-warmer legislator.
Which, they revealed that, ” Nigerians clearly understand the quality of all the Bills he started, laboured, nurtured and, with the help of other Distinguished Senators, gave birth to many of them as Laws currently.”
The result shows that, Distinguished Jibrin, faces reality whenever he presides over plenary sessions. Most often than not, according to the opinion poll, the Senator’s brilliance, know-how, good human relations, gentleman approach to issues as well as sophistication of legislative work, after being encapsulated by dedication, patriotism and political will, all centred around producing a courageous and reserved Senator of global repute and standard. Da ka gan shi ka ga nutsattse.
Many, according to the result of the poll, believe that the Distinguished Senator, enjoys the good support of his colleagues as the Deputy Senate President. That, they argued, “Makes more room for harmony to take centre-stage during plenary sessions, discussions, arguments and lobbying aspect of legislative power play.”
With such opinion polls, it has become glaringly clear that, Senator Jibrin has become one of the leading voices of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.
Though, I stand to be corrected, up to this time, almost two years of the existence of the 10th Assembly, no Senator or Member of House of Representatives, welcomes politicians from other divide. The way he does. Not minding where such defectors come from. But largely from New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), as Kano state government being controlled by NNPP. So also from other opposition parties. Not only from Kano, but from across other states. It is there everywhere in the media.
As reflected recently by the Deputy Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr Emmanuel Oladesu, of 2nd May, 2025, in page 27, under the caption “Barau and APC membership drive in Kano.”
What is most striking in that piece is where Oladesu quoted Distinguished Senator Jibrin, to have said, during one of the occasions marking the exit of some hundreds of members of the opposition parties to APC, “APC is a party of inclusion, where every member enjoys equal rights to contest elections and contribute to nation-building.
When this government came into power under the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there were a lot of problems on the ground. But after two years, we have started to see that these economic policies are yielding some fruits.”
The Deputy Editor’s account gives out a straight-jacket analysis of how impactful and powerful are DSP’s commitment for the expansion, survival and strengthening process of the ruling party, the APC. I am yet to see other legislators doing something closer to Senator Jibrin’s.
This and other accounts from different observers, help to genuinely authenticate the result of this opinion poll rating DSP as the most visible Senator in the entire North. Exaggeration? Rule it out! Still stand to be corrected, anyway.
It is indeed worthy of note, to understand how critical DSP’s contributions to human development in his primary constituency (Kano North), Kano state and across the entire North West region. All geared towards his patriotic intent for national development. And promotion of peace and tranquility.
Not to talk of politics or political engagement, just examine his greater concern for education of our people, youth and women particularly. His Scholarship Scheme speaks volume around that area. The choice of fields of study, in both indigenous and foreign institutions of higher learning, tells much about his foresight as a global citizen.
Courses that are globally recognized with modern touches, like Software Engineering, Robotic Engineering, Forensic Engineering, among many other global fields of study. That are raining profusely across nations, continents and world at large.
This is foresight, hard earned capacity, illustrative engagements, encouraging philanthropy, enduring public responsibility, political maturity and sagacity, interwoven interests (his and society’s), high level patriotism and clear understanding of worldview.
I concur with an inexcusable determination that, DSP’s interventions in many areas, like creation of young Millionaires through his well designed agricultural project, – also for food security purpose – scholarship schemes, his indelible mark in easing transport system in Kano North, with the introduction of Kano North Transport Service with over 100 vehicles and how his generous touch being trickled down to many ‘long abandoned grassroot politicians,’ when he remembered hundreds of past and present party leaders, at all levels in the state, among others, provide all corridors for media attention, media scrutiny and increased public interest.
The creation of North West Development Commission, alone, looking at the role he played, is more than enough, a reason to always be in the media perpetually.
So all the needed indices are there, factors are there, reasons behind his emergence as the most visible Northern Senator in the media are there, and platforms to corroborate poll’s result are also there, live and direct.
Anwar, was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at [email protected]
14th May, 2025
