Dickson Mourns Ex-Reps Member: Senator Seriake Dickson has expressed deep shock and grief over the killing of former House of Representatives member, Abba Anas Adamu, who reportedly died after being abducted by kidnappers along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Adamu, a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress in Jigawa State, was said to have been travelling to Abuja for a political engagement when he was kidnapped alongside Ali Tukur Gantsa. The tragic development has sparked renewed concerns over the worsening security crisis across parts of Northern Nigeria and the increasing danger faced by travellers on major highways.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Tuesday, Dickson described the late politician as a trusted ally, longtime associate and brother whose death had left him devastated.
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“Last night, I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the kidnapping and gruesome murder of my dear friend and ally, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu of Jigawa State,” the senator stated.
“The news left me devastated and heartbroken by the tragic and painful manner in which such a good man lost his life.”
The former Bayelsa State governor said Adamu was more than a political associate to him, recalling their relationship from their days together in the House of Representatives around 2007.
According to Dickson, the late lawmaker played a significant role during one of Nigeria’s most delicate political periods following the illness of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the constitutional crisis that followed.
He explained that Adamu was among lawmakers who stood firmly behind the move that led to former President Goodluck Jonathan becoming Acting President under what later became known as the Doctrine of Necessity.
Dickson recounted how lawmakers who supported the move faced intimidation, political pressure and threats at the time.
“Patriots like Hon. Abba Anas defied all odds, inducement, intimidation and blackmail,” he said.
“I arranged for another patriot, Hon. Dr Sani Abdu, then of the ANPP, to move the motion for President Goodluck Jonathan to be made Acting President, while Hon. Abba Anas was the one who seconded the motion.”
The senator said several lawmakers involved in that political struggle had since passed away, noting that Adamu’s death was another painful loss to a generation of politicians he described as committed nationalists.
Dickson also disclosed that Adamu remained one of his closest allies even after their time in the National Assembly. He said the deceased stood by him during his years as governor of Bayelsa State and continued to maintain close political ties with him during his service in the Senate.
According to him, Adamu was also among the early members involved in the formation of the NDC political movement before later joining the ADC due to political developments.
He noted that despite political realignments, both men remained close and regularly exchanged ideas on national issues and politics.
“It was therefore a terrible shock yesterday evening when our mutual friend and colleague, Hon. Sani Abdu, called me in tears to ask if I had heard the news,” Dickson added.
“What makes this loss even more painful is the cruel and tragic manner in which he died.”
Reports indicated that Adamu died while in captivity after allegedly being denied access to medication despite battling health conditions, including asthma and hypertension.
Before his death, the former lawmaker was said to be nursing governorship ambitions in Jigawa State under the platform of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dickson extended condolences to the deceased’s family, political associates and supporters across the country, describing Adamu as a patriot who sacrificed personal political interests in the service of national unity.
The killing has again drawn attention to the growing insecurity along the Abuja-Kaduna highway and across several northern states, where kidnappings, killings and attacks by armed groups have continued despite repeated assurances from security authorities.
