“My People Are Under Siege” Senator Lamido Explains ADC Move
Senator Ibrahim Lamido, representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, has said the ongoing legal crisis within the African Democratic Congress, ADC will not deter his decision to join the party, stressing that his move is rooted in the wishes of his constituent rather than personal ambition.
Speaking with journalists in Sokoto on Thursday, Sen. Lamido explained that worsening insecurity in his district compelled the decision as residents continue to face killings, kidnappings, and displacement by bandits.
“This is not about me. It is about my people who are being killed, kidnapped, and displaced on a daily basis. They are the ones who took this decision, and I am only representing their voice” he said.
The senator criticized the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC at both state and federal levels, accusing it of failing to adequately protect citizens.
“For too long, our communities have suffered with little or no meaningful intervention. My people believe a new platform like the ADC can offer a better approach to addressing their plight”he added.
While acknowledging internal disputes within the ADC, Lamido dismissed concerns about their impact on his defection.
“Yes, I am aware of the legal issues in the party, but that does not change the urgency of the situation on the ground. Security cannot wait for political stability” he stated.
Reacting to comments by Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu that efforts to curb banditry in the eastern part of the state were yielding results, Lamido disagreed, insisting the reality on the ground tells a different story.
“I appreciate the efforts being made, but the reality is that our people are still under constant attack. The situation does not reflect the level of improvement being suggested” he said.
He described daily life in Sokoto East as dire, with repeated attacks forcing many residents to flee their homes and crippling economic activities.
“Communities are repeatedly attacked, people are killed or abducted, and many families have been displaced. Economic activities have almost come to a standstill” Lamido lamented.
According to him, movement has become highly restricted, with residents often requiring armed escorts to travel.
“Today, many of my constituents cannot travel to Sokoto town without armed escorts, and even that is limited to specific days due to the risks involved” he disclosed.
Calling the situation alarming, the lawmaker urged both state and federal authorities to take decisive action.
“We need increased deployment of security personnel, better intelligence gathering, and improved logistics for our security agencies. The response must match the scale of the crisis” he said.
Senator Lamido also emphasised the importance of humanitarian assistance for displaced persons and long term solutions to address the root causes of insecurity.
“Beyond security operations, there must be serious investment in tackling poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, which are fuelling insecurity” he noted.
Reaffirming his stance, he said the safety of his constituents remains his top priority.
“My loyalty is to my people. Their safety comes first, and I will continue to push for every necessary action to restore peace and stability in our communities” he said.
