Senator Ibrahim Lamido has said his decision to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was driven by worsening insecurity in his constituency rather than political ambition.
The lawmaker, who represents Sokoto East Senatorial District, explained that the move followed extensive consultations with his constituents, many of whom are facing persistent attacks by armed bandits.
Speaking to journalists in Sokoto, Lamido stressed that the decision reflected the collective will of his people, who he said are increasingly frustrated by the failure of authorities to effectively address the security crisis.
“It is not only my personal decision. It was decided by my people who are being killed, kidnapped, and displaced daily, with little or nothing done to stop the situation,” he said.
Despite ongoing legal disputes within the ADC, the senator maintained that his commitment to the party remains firm, noting that his constituents believe it offers a credible platform to address their challenges.
Lamido also disagreed with recent remarks by Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who had reportedly stated that security efforts in parts of the state were yielding positive results.
While acknowledging the efforts of the state government and security agencies, the senator insisted that the situation in Sokoto East remains dire, with communities still experiencing frequent attacks, kidnappings, and displacement.
He said the violence has severely disrupted livelihoods, forcing residents to abandon farms and businesses, while movement within the district has become highly restricted due to safety concerns.
“In some cases, people can only travel on specific days, even with security escorts,” he noted, describing the situation as alarming.
Lamido called on both the state and federal governments to intensify security operations by deploying more personnel, improving intelligence gathering, and providing adequate logistical support to security agencies.
He also urged authorities to complement security measures with humanitarian assistance for displaced families, as well as long-term strategies to address underlying causes of insecurity such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education.
Reaffirming his commitment to his constituents, the senator emphasised that protecting lives and property must remain the top priority of government, calling for collective action to restore peace and stability across affected communities.
