Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has cautioned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State against politicising issues of insecurity, urging him instead to focus on tackling the numerous challenges confronting the state.
Senator Barau was reacting to allegations by the Kano State Government that his recent comments were capable of undermining ongoing security efforts. The accusation was made at the end of the 34th Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Yusuf.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy Senate President dismissed the claims as false, reckless, and malicious. He insisted that insecurity— including recent bandit incursions into parts of the state — should not be politicised and requires the collective efforts of all stakeholders.
According to him, the state government must substantiate its allegations by producing the video clip where he purportedly made statements capable of escalating insecurity.
Read Also:
Jonathan Questions Legitimacy of Guinea-Bissau ‘Coup’, Demands Release of Election Results
“There was no time Senator Barau uttered any statement capable of undermining security efforts,” the statement said. “Instead, he has consistently collaborated with stakeholders to address insecurity challenges in Kano and across the country.”
Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, called on Governor Yusuf to “wake up from slumber” and focus on restoring governance and development in the state.
“Until governance was relegated to the background, Kano used to be a very close second to Lagos in terms of prosperity. Misgovernance has eroded this standing. We have everything necessary to restore the glorious days of our state, but the governor is not taking steps in that direction,” he added.
Highlighting his contributions to improving security, Barau noted that he has donated operational vehicles to police formations across his senatorial district and beyond, provided motorcycles to policemen in Kano North, renovated parts of the state police headquarters, and constructed police stations in various communities. He has also supported the Department of State Services (DSS).
Furthermore, he facilitated the establishment of key security training institutions including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Training College in Gwarzo, the Nigeria Police Service Commission Training Institute in Kabo, and the Nigeria Immigration Service Training School in Bichi — all currently under construction.
He added that solar-powered streetlights installed across his senatorial district and other parts of the state have strengthened nighttime security operations.
“The state government should emulate these efforts rather than casting aspersions on his personality,” the statement said.