Aftermath of defection: DSP Barau adds Gov. Yusuf’s name to his campaign organization

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The Deputy President of the Senate, Dr. Barau Ibrahim Jibrin, has added the name of Kano state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to his campaign organization, shortly after receiving him into the All Progressive Congress (APC) at Coronation Hall, Kano Government House, on Monday.

Senator Barau, representing Kano North Senatorial District at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, was a major rival to Governor Yusuf in the 2027 governorship election in Kano.

Governor Yusuf was officially received by APC heavyweights in Kano on Monday, after his resignation from the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), on January 23, 2026.

During the elaborate defection ceremony, immediate-past National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, declared that all the party stakeholders have agreed to support Governor Yusuf’s second-term bid in 2027.

In his verified Facebook page, Senator Barau wrote: “Change of name: Tinubu/ Barau organisation now Tinubu, Abba, Barau Organisation

“Today, we received the Kano State Governor, His Excellency Abba Kabiru Yusuf, into our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the Kano Government House.

“While welcoming him to the APC during the event, I urged all my supporters and promoters to queue behind the governor for the development of our state, Kano.

“When I chanted Nigeria, the mammoth crowd said ‘Sai Tinubu’ and when I said Kano, it was followed by ‘Sai Abba Gida-Gida.’

“To this effect, the various groups promoting my aspirations under the Tinubu/Barau organisation will now be known as the Tinubu, Abba, Barau Organisation.

“My entry into politics over three decades ago was driven by my commitment to serve the people of our beloved state, Kano and the country at large. Nothing more.

“By the grace of Allah (SWT), I have remained steadfast in that mission, and I will continue to work for the unity, progress and development of Kano State and the country.

“I also want to reassure the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, of my unalloyed commitment to the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda, as we work together to take our country to the next level, where governance truly works for all.”