“Whatever Tinubu Asks Me to Do, I’ll Do It – I’m 100% Loyal,” Says Barau

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, saying he will do whatever the president asks of him ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday ahead of the zonal public hearings by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Barau dismissed rising speculation about a possible vice-presidential ticket.

When asked about calls from various groups urging him to become Tinubu’s running mate, Barau described such discussions as premature, emphasizing that the country’s current focus should be on governance. “Honestly, I don’t want to say anything about this now,” he said. “Mr President, since the beginning of this administration, has been working very hard to change the trajectory of this country.”

He praised Tinubu’s efforts in tackling the challenges inherited from previous administrations, describing the president as open-minded and committed to national development. “We’ve been working with him day and night because he’s the father of the nation. At this time, there’s no point talking about running mate issues. What he is doing is a work in progress, and we all must support him,” Barau said.

Barau urged groups backing his potential candidacy to redirect their efforts toward supporting the president’s reform agenda. “Instead of wasting energy on things that are not relevant now, channel your resources to support the president. When the time comes, we’ll play politics. But this time is for governance.”

He credited Tinubu for playing a pivotal role in his political rise, particularly in helping him secure the Senate ticket and his current position as Deputy Senate President. “You’ll be surprised if I start telling you what he has done for me and my people. When we had issues in Kano, he resolved them,” Barau revealed.

The lawmaker was unequivocal in his loyalty. “If the time comes and he says, ‘I want you to work with me,’ I’ll say, ‘Thank you, sir,’ and I will do it. Whatever he asks me to do, I’ll do. I’m loyal to him 100 percent.”

Barau also emphasized that he and Tinubu share the same political roots. “Our faiths are tied together. We are both from the progressive family. I’m a progressive to the core, and we cherish loyalty. In 2027, I’ll do whatever he tells me to do.”

Meanwhile, Barau confirmed that the Senate Committee on Constitution Review had received 59 bills and 31 proposals. He said public hearings would be held in six zones: Ikot Ekpene, Kano, Lagos, Jos, Maiduguri, and Enugu, each chaired by senior senators from the respective regions.

His remarks come amid recent advocacy by the Northern Nigeria Progressive Youth Assembly (NNPYA), which had promoted him as a potential replacement for Vice-President Kashim Shettima. However, Barau’s media aide, Ismail Mudashir, had earlier distanced him from the campaign, describing it as “ill-timed.”