By John Moses
Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has dismissed growing calls for him to become President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election, reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to the incumbent leader.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the zonal public hearings for constitutional review, Senator Jibrin described such political discussions as premature, stressing that his current focus was on supporting the President’s governance agenda.
“I don’t think this is the right time to talk about 2027 or running mate matters,” he told reporters. “President Tinubu inherited complex challenges, and he is working tirelessly to put the country back on the path of prosperity. We all must rally behind him.”
Senator Jibrin, a key political ally of the President, said that he would do “whatever the President asks of me, 100 per cent,” citing Tinubu’s past support for his political advancement as a foundation of their strong relationship.
“He helped resolve political issues in my home state of Kano. He ensured I got the party’s Senate ticket and supported me to become Deputy Senate President,” Jibrin said. “I owe him loyalty. If he asks me to stand with him in 2027, I will do so without hesitation.”
He described Tinubu as a “political father” and a unifying figure in the country, adding that political manoeuvring should take a back seat while the administration continues to work on delivering tangible results for Nigerians.
Jibrin also noted that discussions about succession or elections were unnecessary distractions at this stage. “There’s a time for politics, but now is the time for governance,” he added.
The Deputy Senate President also spoke on the ongoing constitutional review process, announcing that six zonal public hearings would be held across Nigeria to receive input from citizens on 59 bills and 31 proposed amendments.
