Study reveals that, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin emerges as the Most Influential Senator from Northern Nigeria consisting of 19 states of the federation.
An umbrella platform of 27 organizations, called, Indivisible Nigerian Project, made this known before Nigeria’s Democracy Day, June 12, celebration, kickstart, after an Executive Meeting in Nassarawa state.
In a letter signed by Northern Convener of the platform, Dr Danjuma Monday Keffi, and transmitted to the Deputy Senate President, it was disclosed that, all the affiliated organizations engaged in one way or the other, in scrutinizing all Northern Senators from 2024 to 2025.
This study which followed a scientific engagement and analysis, views, not only positions held by different Senators from North, it gives emphasis to the impact of individual Senators to their respective constituencies. Individual efforts in life saving interventions and responsible approach to human development, are part of the working indices.
The study document, reveals that, Senator Jibrin’s non-preferential treatment of all parts of Nigeria, in his legislative responsibilities gained many points for him. Which could at the same time oil his engine of national capacity.
“This work is a rigorous and time consuming exercise, which beams an independent light in search of objective realities for all our Distinguished Northern Senators. With the view to understanding more committed and engaging legislators,” says the document.
Though Senator Jibrin, according to the study, “… is representing Kano North Senatorial District, but his work cuts across all parts of the country. Especially on matters around Bills sponsorship and following same to logical end.”
Some few examples were figured out in the report. “Even before the years under study, ie 2024/2025, Senator Barau Jibrin has been a consistent contributor and engaging legislator of substance in serving all parts of the Nigeria.”
They identified few Bills which he sponsored and were not for his state even, not to talk of his constituency, Kano North.
Among them are Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Bill (2023), Federal College of Education (Technical), Aghoro Bill (2019), in Bayelsa state, College of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk, Bill (2019), Federal University of Aquatic Studies, Ogharu, Bill (2019), in Anambra state and University of Maritime Studies, Oron, Bill (2017), Development Planning and Projects Continuity Bill (2023), among others.
To them such and similar Bills wouldn’t have scaled through to see the light of the day, if the particular sponsor is not that influential on the floor of the Senate and in the sight of the Executive.
Looking at his position, as the Deputy Senate President, from the North, it could therefore be natural to say, Senator Jibrin is Influencial. Or more influential than his Northern colleagues.
But this organization looks beyond that, in fact they argue that, holding higher position does not necessarily translate into being influencial. To them, position and influence are not always twins.
It was their meticulous and unbiased analysis of his achieved influence that, gives birth to the final result. Where he emerges as the Most Influential Northern Senator.
While it is believed that, there exists joint – influence among Senators, it is also understood that, DSP has special place in the eyes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Arguing that, how Bills sponsored by the Deputy Senate President gets Presidential assent, after being passed by the Red Chamber, is an important administrative-cum-legislative aspect to be considered. The speed it takes for his sponsored Bills to get Presidential nod is noteworthy and gingering.
That special treatment, if you like, was more evident and glaring when you visit and revisit process and procedures followed when Barau sponsored Bills during plenary sessions. A Senator with an excellent disposition of legislative technicalities.
It could only take an influencial Senator to sponsor Bill establishing a Federal Polytechnic and sponsoring another to effect the change of name of the not-long-ago established Polytechnic, to University status. All got Presidential assent within no time.
This is a case of Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, which has recently been changed to Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo, a local government under his constituency. Even the establishment of Federal College of Science and Technology, Rano, from Kano South Senatorial District, has the unwavering blessing of Senator Jibrin, as highlighted by this platform.
According to the study, it also takes a highly influential Senator to, within a twinkle of an eye, lobbied for the renaming of Federal College of Education, Kano, (it’s renaming to University was abolished during Buhari administration – su Buhari manya) to Federal University of Education, Kano. And to, within a span of brief time, lobbied again, to the Presidency, to rename the University to Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.
The establishment of North West Development Commission (NWDC) in 2024, is his effort, assisted by his other colleagues. He singlehandedly sponsored the Bill and got Presidential assent with no tear.
The study discloses that, “Senator Barau Jibrin’s all-engaging influence created a corridor for the first regional endorsement of President Tinubu. That was started from North West and subsequently transported to other regions and associations.”
The document indicates that, DSP’s influence among other considerations, paved way for Tinubu’s recent endorsement that took place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In my personal view, it could be DSP’s overt and covert influences that move some Nigerians to start insinuating that, he would get higher national office, come 2027. Whether true or half-truth, he has all it takes. No doubt about this. Apart from his political shock absorbers, the substance and patriotic commitment in him, places him above many. Neither a floating Senator, but a proving legislator. Who proves his mettle at whatever rate.
To further accentuate how solid and objective their study appears, they cited that there was similar study recently conducted by another group entirely different from theirs, which presented the Senator as the Most Visible Northern Legislator.
To be specific they made reference to the online version of Daily Trust newspaper of Wednesday, 14th May, 2025, which published a piece captioned “DSP Barau : Most Visible Northern Legislator.”
In that publication they quoted the person who signed the opinion polls report, the National Coordinator of the platform, James Audu Dogo, who says, “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.”
The same report challenged that, “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.”
They quoted the group as Media – Legislative Engagement for Democracy ( M- Len4D).
Dr Keffi said very soon the platform would go and present an Award of Excellence to the Deputy Senate President for emerging as the Most Influencial Senator in Northern Nigeria.
Anwar, was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at [email protected]
Sunday, 8th June, 2025.
