Senator Barau I. Jibrin And His Politics Of Peace -By Sale Rusulana Yanguruza

In politics, there are politicians whose eyes are blind, and they seek positions or power with blind eyes and minds. Still, among them, there are those whose strategy is to use abusive words and promote conflicts among their followers, while others indirectly use what is referred to as political thuggery as a tool or ladder to climb into power. However, the proliferation and advancement in Information Communication Technology has also brought another advantage for politicians to use and gather the so-called “Data boys” or “Yan Midiya” in Hausa to promote their agendas. Some of these Data boys are neither knowledgeable enough about the use of social media nor literate about its uses.

In a state like mine, Kano State, some politicians are not demonstrating maturity when criticizing their opponents.Some of the words they often utter to their opponents might lead one to think that they’ve never been in the same shadow. However, because the youths and Nigerians are manipulated they hardly and find it challenging to comprehend their maneuvers, whatsoever they utter is respected and agreed by their followers. I frequently ask myself: when will Nigerians understand the dirty games politicians often play over the citizens?

And how can we achieve peace in our democratic system of government like the USA? Though, even among politicians, there are those who criticize, scrutinize, and preach for peace. They hardly utter negative, abusive , and provocative statements that can hurt or fuel hatred among their followers. They give without saying anything and prioritize actions rather than just statements. They’re never appeared on media stations just to oppose peoples work and policies. They choose to work on their own to help their community. They don’t give money to be protected from the Data boys when they’re criticized.

In Kano, Political figures like a party chairman in the state repeatedly insulted almost all the Kwankwasiyya followers during their campaign. In fact, he went ahead to said the election is about”koda tsiya tsiya” meaning (do or die). During the 2023 elections campaigns, I thought he would withdraw his 2019 statement but unfortunately to my shock and dismay, he repeated and uttered this statement during the 2023 elections, and all this while, he was the party chairman at that time.

But I believed one may ask: are there peace-makers in politics who strongly promote the democratic system rather than making unacceptable comments and noise towards their opponents and their followers? Yes, the answer lies in the leaders attitude and ways of leading people. Many of us view peace as existing only when there’s no total violence. However, in politics, there are conflicts that cause serious setbacks, particularly to the democratic system. But how these conflicts are resolved effectively is what is needed from political figures.

The Dalai Lama’s quote, “World peace must develop from inner peace. One’s own peace of mind is a prerequisite to the peace of the world,” serves as a powerful reminder when discussing peace in politics. This quote not only provides how we can resolve a conflict through Self-discipline and self-regulation of conflicts internally.Lama’s quote has given me a snapshot that prompts and triggers me to remember one who is preaching peace and promoting it internally and externally. He is a politician who always comes to my mind when I think of peace in politics – Senator Barau I. Jibrin, currently the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Representing the good people of Kano North. I call him a peacemaker in our politics today because he never uses provocative statements against his opponents, whether through the use Media or his supporters.

When the tax reform bill was presented by Senator Barau I. Jibrin in the Upper Chamber for debate, the bill caused a widespread of controversy in Nigeria, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Religious leaders, experts, and some governors from the region Like Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and that of Borno State Professor Babagana Umra criticized the bill.

Unfortunately, some citizens viewed Senator Barau I. Jibrin as someone trying to distroy Northerners.On social media, some noise-makers launched vicious attacks, hurling abuse and curses at the senator without understanding the bill’s procedures or implications. Despite Northerners generally regarding him as a champion who prioritizes their interests in the Tinubu Administration, they threw stones at him over this issue.The peace-maker hasn’t even curse or ask his followers to retaliate.

Furthermore, Some citizen in northern Nigeria even labeled the senator an “enemy.” It’s very sad because considering his achievements and development he had provided to the community.These include sponsoring bills that established the Northwest Development Commission and Federal Polytechnic Kabo in Kano, and providing scholarships for students to pursue their first and second degrees in Nigeria and abroad.Despite their abusive words didn’t hinder him from bringing more dividends of democracy to his constituents and Northern Nigeria. With that, he deserves to be call a peace-maker in today’s politics in Nigeria.

Similarly, immediately after Tinubu fired and sacked the former Deputy Governor of Kano State Eng. Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo from the office of State Minister, there were a lot of hearsay spread and the claims from those who spreaded false information that Senator Barau I. Jibrin was part of those who plotted his removal.Without doubt, the false and misleading information traveled far and wide, but the peacemaker demonstrated his maturity, allowing them to dance to their tune without uttering a single harsh word about the hearsay. Indeed, Barau I Jibrin is a true peace-maker in politics today.

No wonder, before becoming a senator, he was a member of the House of Representatives in Tarauni Local Government Area. According to many, he was elected in appreciation of his contributions to the development of the community, especially in health and education. The people of Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano Central Senatorial District elected him to represent them in 1999.

Between 1999 and 2003, during his tenure in the Green Chamber, he chaired the Committee on Appropriations and other committees, including the Committee on Power. In recognition of his legislative prowess, then-President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as a member of the committee set up to review Nigeria’s budgetary process.Did you know that all these achievements were achieved due his his grit, gut, and commitment to developing the people of Kano through peaceful and legal means, which is truly remarkable,outstanding, commendable and that keeps him to stand out among the politicians in Kano.

How Senator Restores Peace and Confidence in the Hearts of His Constituents.

Another distinctive character that distinguished Senator Barau I. Jibrin from other politicians was his innovative approach to distributing empowerment and initiatives to his constituents. He introduced a unique method, which I referred to as “democratic empowerment or initiatives,” while researchers call it “random sampling.” The Hausa’s Say “kacici.”

When I was a teenager, my father and his elder brother, the late Sani Lawan Alan, were strong followers of Kwankwaso in our community. And surprisingly during that initiatives from either the governor, House of Representatives, senator, or state House of Assembly would only benefit those selected by the party.However, Senator Barau I. Jibrin’s approach differed. When providing initiatives or empowerment to his people, he ensured that all targeted categories of individuals benefited regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.

When selecting beneficiaries, everybody has an equal chance of participating. His team often arrives with a roll of paper, tears it into pieces, and writes names on each piece, corresponding to the total number of attendees. They then scrunch up the papers, put them in a small bucket, shake it, and start picking names one by one.This method really works, as thousands of people have benefited. It’s purely objective, not subjective, because the process is done in front of all participants. Even those from Kwankwasiyya have benefited from this approach no political party, group or association left behind. I witnessed it twice.

I could vividly remember on my way back to school from Gwarzo Road to Kano. The driver and a passenger who sat beside him engaged in a discussion about Senator Barau’s Kano North Transport Service. The passenger, who looked like a stranger, wanted to know more about how the vehicles were distributed by the senator.Without hesitation, the driver began to explain how it worked, but the passenger wasn’t convinced. The driver said, “Wallahi, I know someone who’s my friend and neighbor, and he was among the beneficiaries, even though he’s not a supporter of Senator Barau I. Jibrin.” The passenger looked at him and said, “This Barau is good-hearted.”

Interestingly, that was how he restored confidence and peace in the minds of all his constituents, because whatever he gives out, he usually uses this approach, and many people from the Kano senatorial district come out en masse to participate, with no discrimination in the process of selecting beneficiaries.

It’s indeed they said peace-maker brings harmony and Balance to a chaotic world and always seeks the well-being of others.

Sale Rusulana Yanguruza, Wrote from Yanguruza, Gwarzo Local Government area,Kano State. Can be reach via salerusulana09@gmail.com