Nineteen traditional rulers, including District and Ward heads in the Sabon Birni local government area of the Sokoto East Senatorial District of the state have resigned their positions and declared their support for Senator Ibrahim Lamido.
The traditional rulers at a news conference in Sokoto said they decided to support the senator because of his drive to curtail insecurity in their villages.
Lamido and two other federal lawmakers had accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration in the state of not adequately addressing the people’s concerns.
The senator, who is also an APC member, accused the party and Governor Ahmed Aliyu of not doing enough to support internally displaced persons scattered across the state and fighting against banditry.
Sokoto has, in recent years, become an epicentre of bandits and terrorist atrocities.
However, the traditional rulers and community leaders, who attended Sunday’s press conference to show solidarity with Lamido are Ubandoman Gatawa, Danmalan Ubandawaki, Salihu Dealer Katukan Gobir, Isah Haruna, Dangaladima Bashar, Hassan S Fada, Yakubu Maigari, Malam Haruna Village head of Kumbuli, Alhaji Ibrahim Gatawa and Mu’azu Mohammed Gatawa.
Others are Nasiru Angi, Masur Yanusa, Shamsu Ahmed PRO, Garba Saidu, Malam Addini Matasa, Aliyu Mohammed, Mubarak Idris Gatawa, Maigari Lawali Shuaibu, Maigari Bashar Kanwuri, Maigari Sale Danfaru, Maigari Haruna Tsalba, Maigari Nasiru Hande, Maigari Umaru Danfaru, Maigari. jadi Taketsaba, Maigari Samaila Jatau, Maigari Hassan Maifata, Maigari Ayuba Kwadare.
The rest are Murtala Ubandoman Gobir, Abdulahi Ima Exco, Aliyu Mahe Gobir , Hassan Mailafiya, Chairman Tylor, Malam Labbo Mai Dussa, Samaila Katambara, Lawali Sarkin Makera, Babangida Sodangi, Alhaji Bale Gajare and Alhaji Malami Katuma.
The mass resignation of traditional titles comes after the resignation of the District Head of Sabon Birni, Abdullahi Muhammad Bawa.
Bawa, in his resignation letter, said he resigned his position as district head of Sabon Birni with effect from October 16, 2024.
In the letter which he personally signed, Bawa said he resigned to show solidarity with Lamido who he said showed more concern for the people.
Lauwali Shuaibu, the ward head of Taka-Tsaba, said their decision to drop their titles was in appreciation of Lamido’s commitment towards improving their wellbeing, noting that he “always comes to our rescue whenever bandits attack our people.”
He continued, “Our support will encourage Senator Lamido to continue with the good work he has been doing to our people.”
Another traditional ruler, who resigned his position, Jamilu Gwanda Gobir who holds the title of Ubandoman Sarkin Gobir, said their decision was aimed at salvaging Gobir district.
Another community leader, Alhaji Murtala Ubandoman, who dropped his title of Gobir in Sabon Birnin local government, said the senator’s development initiatives and his quest to free the area from the shackles of banditry and kidnappings are commendable.
“It’s a well-known fact that Sen Lamido brought Civilian JTF all the way from Maiduguri to fight bandits in Isa and Sabon Birni local government areas worst hit by banditry, and they have been recording success. As communities, we are living comfortably with them.
“Imagine the majority of our village communities in Sokoto East; after investing so much on our farmlands, we cannot have access to harvest our crops due to banditry.
“I have paid so many ransoms for my brothers and my family members, and as I am talking to you, my son is in the hands of kidnappers; I have nothing to secure his freedom.”
Also speaking, Jamilu Gwanda Gobir and Lawali Shuabu Taketsaba also commended the senator’s push to free their communities from criminal elements.
“It is up to the government to decide whether to dethrone us or allow us to continue as community leaders, but we will continue to support the good will of the Senator. What we are doing is for the benefit of our communities, and we are doing it with their support and cooperation.”
