…Ex-Bayelsa Gov: Nigeria losing patriots to wanton killings, abductions
By Chike Ofili
Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, has raised fresh concerns over the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria following the abduction and gruesome killing of his longtime political ally and friend, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu of Jigawa State.
Dickson, in an emotional statement, described the late Adamu as a patriot, nationalist, and committed political associate whose death has left him devastated and heartbroken.
The former governor said he received the shocking news on Tuesday night and was informed that Adamu was kidnapped alongside some associates while travelling through Northern Nigeria, amid the growing wave of insecurity ravaging several parts of the country.
According to Dickson, the kidnappers reportedly killed Adamu even after ransom payments had allegedly been made.
“I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the kidnapping and gruesome murder of my dear friend and ally, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu,” Dickson said.
“I was told that while travelling with his colleagues, they were kidnapped, and that even after the ransom demanded was paid, he was still brutally killed. The news left me devastated and heartbroken at the tragic and painful manner in which such a good man lost his life.”
The senator lamented what he described as the worsening wave of kidnappings, killings, and insecurity spreading across Northern Nigeria and parts of the South, warning that the country was steadily losing distinguished citizens and patriots to violent crimes.
Dickson recalled that his relationship with the late Adamu dated back to their days in the House of Representatives around 2007, where they worked closely during the constitutional crisis triggered by the illness of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He said Adamu played a frontline role in the political struggle that eventually produced the “Doctrine of Necessity,” which paved the way for former President Goodluck Jonathan to become Acting President and later President.
According to him, he led a group of lawmakers under the Nigeria First Forum during the succession crisis and appointed Adamu to chair the strategic team coordinating support for the national intervention.
“For strategic reasons, I appointed Abba Anas to chair the team, and alongside other committed patriots, he worked tirelessly across ethnic and regional lines in the national interest,” Dickson stated.
He recalled that while former lawmaker, Dr. Sani Abdu, moved the historic motion on the floor of the House, Adamu seconded it despite intense political pressure, intimidation, and blackmail at the time.
“Patriots like Hon. Abba Anas defied all odds, inducement, intimidation, and blackmail,” he said.
Dickson also paid tribute to other lawmakers involved in the struggle, including the late Bethel Amadi and Independence Ogunewe, noting that Adamu had now joined them in death.
The former governor disclosed that he later nominated Adamu for a ministerial position, although the nomination did not succeed due to political opposition in his home state.
He said the late politician paid heavily for his principled stand during the Jonathan succession battle, losing political support back home and failing to return to the House of Representatives.
Despite those setbacks, Dickson said their friendship and political alliance remained strong over the years.
“When I became Governor, Abba Anas remained by my side, and even afterwards, in my service in the Senate, he continued to stand with me until his death. We were truly like brothers,” he said.
Dickson further revealed that Adamu was among the original members of the team that conceptualised the NDC movement and was expected to play a major leadership role before eventually aligning with the ADC due to political developments.
“It was therefore a terrible shock yesterday evening when our mutual friend and colleague, Hon. Dr. Sani Abdu, called me in tears to ask if I had heard the news,” he added.
On behalf of his family, constituents, and political associates, Dickson extended condolences to Adamu’s wives, children, friends, and supporters, describing his death as a painful national loss.
“In the passing of Hon. Abba Anas Adamu, Nigeria has lost a patriot. We have lost a friend, a brother, and a committed nationalist. Personally, I have lost a loyal ally, confidant, and brother,” he said.
He prayed for God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.