Senator Ibrahim Lamido, representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, has said the internal legal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will not stop his decision to join the party, stressing that the move reflects the wishes of his constituents rather than personal ambition.
Speaking to journalists in Sokoto on Thursday, Lamido said worsening insecurity in his district—marked by killings, kidnappings, and displacement—prompted the decision.
“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.
He criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led governments at both state and federal levels, accusing them 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.
Lamido acknowledged the party’s internal disputes but dismissed concerns about their impact.
“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 said.
Reacting to comments by Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who reportedly said efforts to curb banditry were yielding results, Lamido disagreed, insisting the reality in Sokoto East remains dire.
“I appreciate the efforts being made, but the reality is that our people are still under constant attack. The situation on the ground does not reflect the level of improvement being suggested,” he said.
He described daily life in the district as increasingly dangerous, with repeated attacks forcing many residents to flee and crippling economic activities.
“Communities are repeatedly attacked, people are killed or abducted, and many families have been forced out of their homes. Economic activities have almost come to a standstill,” he lamented.
According to him, movement has become highly restricted, with residents often unable to travel safely without armed escorts.
“Today, many of my constituents cannot travel to Sokoto town without armed escorts, and even that is limited to specific days because of the risks involved,” he disclosed.
Calling the situation alarming, Lamido urged both state and federal authorities to act decisively by increasing security deployment, strengthening intelligence, and improving logistics for security agencies.
He also called for humanitarian support for displaced persons and long-term investments to address root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education.
“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.
