TAX BILL: Barau cancels daughter’s wedding in Ado Bayero’s residence amidst tension over anti-North roles

By KEMI KASUMU

Feeling unsafe in own Kano State on which representation he is a senator in the Nigerian Senate, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has relocated his daughter’s wedding from the core Northern state to Abuja.

This followed threats of violence from aggrieved Northern youths over Barau’s pro-Tinubu sentiments on his perceived anti-North tax reform.

It will be recalled that following a grand wedding event of daughter of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of opposition New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), held recently in the Palace of Emir of Kano and gloriously hosted by the Sarkin Kano, His Royal Majesty KhalifahMuhammadu Sanusi II, PhD, the Deputy Senate President and a leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) felt the need to hold his own daughter’s wedding event but in a place he allegedly regards as palace, being one of promoters of Aminu Ado Bayero in the emirship impasse in Nigeria’s political headquarters.

Unfortunately, The DEFENDER reports that, the planned wedding is caught in-between the marking of the Kano North Senator as one of promoters of political and emirship crisis in Kano and latest grievances being expressed against him by Northern Nigeria youths who see his roles in the President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms bill passage by the Senate as those of enemies of Kano and North.

The Barau Jibrin’s decision to cancel Ado Bayero-occupied Emir of Kano, Khalifah Muhammadu Sanusi II’s guest house as venue for the daughter’s wedding was therefore announced last weekend amid rising tensions in the region, fueled by dissatisfaction with the Tinubu’s tax reforms said to be glaringly championed by the Deputy Senate President.

The wedding, initially planned for Kano, was expected to attract high-profile guests from within and outside the country at the temporary shelter of the deposed 15th Emir of Kano in Nasarawa.

However, threats issued by angry Arewa youths, who accused Jibrin and other lawmakers of betraying the North, prompted the change of venue for fear of the unknown due to the increasing tensions around the 19 Northern states on the proposed tax bill before the National Assembly.

The youths, representing various advocacy groups, had publicly warned against the lawmakers deemed “unpatriotic” over this issue entering any of the Northern states, threatening violent actions, including public humiliation in event their warnings were ignored.

In a statement, Barau explained that the decision to move the wedding was made to “protect guests and ensure a peaceful celebration.” A copy of the reviewed invitation has been made public.

He described it as a “difficult but necessary decision” given the volatile situation in Kano.

The unrest stems from widespread discontent over Tinubu’s tax reforms, which many in the North perceive as disproportionately affecting their already struggling region is visibly championed by Senator Barau Jibrin when he presided over the session of the Senate.

The policies, aimed at increasing government revenue, have been criticized for exacerbating poverty and unemployment, particularly in economically fragile states like Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Borno among others with many of them currently battling with insecurity.

The economic strain has led to growing hostility toward political figures such as Senator Barau Jibrin and Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa who are perceived as complicit in policies seen as neglecting the North’s interests.

Lawmakers, including Jibrin, have been accused by some of prioritizing their personal political ambitions over the welfare of their constituents.The relocation of the wedding underscores the growing divide between Northern political elites and grassroots communities.

It also highlights the challenges facing Tinubu’s administration as it grapples with implementing reforms while addressing rising public discontent.

Observers have called for urgent dialogue to address the grievances fueling the tensions, warning of potential broader instability if left unresolved.

Out of his ambitious dream be the next Governor of Kano State, Senator Barau Jibrin has decided to promote any policy of the Tinubu led administration no matter its negative effects on the people.

According to sources within the National Assembly, Senator Barau who has been financing the deposed emir of Kano Aminu Bayero, wanted to use the wedding of his children to bring President Bola Tinubu to Kano and grace the occasion at Nasarawa mini palace to serve as President’s endorsement for the former emir to continue to challenge his predecessor-seccessor the 17th Emir of Kano Khalifa Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II