Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has responded to speculation about potentially serving as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 election by declaring absolute loyalty to the President and downplaying the political conversation as premature.
Addressing journalists during a media briefing on the upcoming regional hearings of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Senator Jibrin made it clear that his current priority is governance, not campaigning.
“At this point, what matters most is supporting the President as he continues the difficult work of national transformation,” Jibrin said. “Mr President is my political father. I will always stand by him, and I will do anything he asks of me when the time comes.”
He urged political groups and supporters calling for his 2027 candidacy to instead channel their energy into backing Tinubu’s administration, which he said is working to reverse the country’s economic and governance challenges.
“Those encouraging me should instead focus on supporting the President’s agenda. We all benefit when the government succeeds,” he noted.
Jibrin praised Tinubu’s reforms and credited him for supporting his Senate career and his emergence as Deputy Senate President. “I come from the same progressive fold as the President. Loyalty and commitment to national service are our values,” he added.
On constitutional reform, Jibrin disclosed that the Senate would hold public hearings across six geopolitical zones to gather public input on key legislative proposals. These include:
South-South: Ikot Ekpene, chaired by Senate President Godswill Akpabio or his representative
North-West: Kano, chaired by Senator Barau Jibrin
South-West: Lagos, chaired by Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
North-Central: Jos, chaired by Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru
North-East: Maiduguri, chaired by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno
South-East: Enugu, chaired by Deputy Chief Whip Peter Nwebonyi
The hearings will deliberate on 59 constitutional bills and 31 other proposals aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
