Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has firmly expressed his unwavering commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating clearly that he would comply with any directive from the President, especially concerning the 2027 presidential race. His statement comes amid increasing speculation over potential choices for Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election. Jibrin’s name has surfaced among political circles as a likely vice-presidential candidate, prompting his public reaction during a press briefing on the upcoming zonal public hearings for the Senate Committee on Constitution Review. “I don’t want to speak on that issue right now, but one thing is very obvious. Since this administration began, Mr. President has been working diligently to steer the country in a new direction that fosters prosperity,” Barau said. He emphasized that discussions around running mates at this stage are premature and urged political groups to redirect their efforts toward supporting the Tinubu-led government. “That’s why I told the groups who brought up this idea that I don’t know them personally, but I appreciate their support. I also told them that it’s too early to focus on such political matters. We should instead concentrate on governance. When it’s time for politics, we will handle that. But now is the time to build the nation,” he added. Barau further described President Tinubu as his political mentor, emphasizing that his loyalty was absolute and unwavering. “He’s my political father. If I start listing the things he has done for me and my constituents, you would be amazed. So, whenever he instructs me to take action in the future, I will obey. I am 100% loyal to him,” he declared. In addition to his remarks on loyalty and political speculation, the Deputy Senate President also provided key updates on the forthcoming zonal public hearings organized by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, which he chairs. According to him, the committee is currently handling 59 bills and 31 constitutional proposals, with the expectation that more feedback will be collected from citizens through public memoranda. He confirmed that these hearings will be held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, ensuring national participation in the constitutional reform process. The zonal hearings are scheduled as follows: Barau reiterated the importance of broad public engagement and constitutional inclusiveness, highlighting the hearings as a vital platform for citizens to shape the country’s democratic future.
The House of Representatives has rejected a bill proposing a six-year single term for the presidency of Nigeria. The constitutional amendment bill, initially introduced in June by Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) and 33 other lawmakers, was debated and subsequently dismissed on Thursday during a session on its general principles. The bill also included provisions to rotate the presidency between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions and create two vice presidents—one for succession and another responsible for managing the economy. According to the proposal, the first vice president would assume the presidency if the sitting president becomes incapacitated, while the second vice president would serve as a minister overseeing economic affairs. In addition, the bill suggested that the president and the first vice president must hail from the same region (either the North or South), and both vice presidents would serve as ministers within the cabinet. The second vice president would be tasked with economic management. Rejection of the Bill During the plenary session, Ugochinyere was not permitted to lead the debate before his bill was put to vote. Despite his motion to read the bill a second time, the House overwhelmingly voted against it when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen called for a vote. Atiku’s Support for the Bill Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had expressed support for some aspects of the rejected bill, particularly the idea of rotating the presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the proposed single six-year term. In August, Atiku submitted a memo to Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, advocating for similar reforms. The 2014 National Conference had previously recommended a power rotation model that included rotating governorship positions among the three senatorial districts in each state. However, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan did not act on these recommendations before leaving office. READ ALSO:
