SaharaReporters reported that a vocal critic of Nigeria’s former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, had been arrested in Gashua, Yobe State.

A former President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has denied involvement in the arrest of Ishe’u Ibrahim Jadda, a constituent who was reportedly detained after criticising the Gashua Water Supply Project.

In a statement issued by his media adviser, Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, the senator representing Yobe North dismissed the report published by SaharaReporters as “malicious” and “false,” claiming it was a calculated attempt to smear his reputation.

The report had linked Lawan to Jadda’s arrest, suggesting the move was retaliation for Jadda’s outspoken disapproval of the water project recently commissioned in Gashua, a town within Lawan’s senatorial district.

“Senator Ahmad Lawan has never, and will never, use his office or influence to suppress dissent or intimidate critics,” the statement read.

“To suggest that a man of such pedigree would orchestrate the arrest of a constituent for exercising his constitutional right to free speech is not only absurd but an affront to his decades of principled service.”

Lawan emphasised his record supporting democratic values, free speech, and the rule of law, pointing to his legislative history as evidence of tolerance and respect for opposing views.

Defending the water project, Lawan said it was initiated to address a health emergency in Gashua. Due to water contamination, the city reportedly has one of the highest rates of kidney disease in Yobe State.

He said the project was intended to provide clean water to mitigate the crisis.

However, the senator did not provide specific details about the water supply project's scope, cost, or implementation timeline—questions that have fueled public scrutiny and online criticism.

While calling the media to provide proof of its allegations, Lawan said he remained committed to delivering quality representation and welcomed constructive feedback from his constituents.

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that a vocal critic of Nigeria’s former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, had been arrested in Gashua, Yobe State, and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Damaturu, allegedly over his comments about a controversial N5.73 billion water project.

Saharareporters learnt that the man, identified as Isheu Ibrahim Jadda, was arrested on Friday and detained overnight before being moved to Damaturu on Saturday morning.

A source familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters that Jadda’s arrest stemmed from his public remarks about the recently commissioned Nigerian government water supply scheme in Yobe, a project allegedly completed without delivering a single drop of water.

“He was arrested for commenting on: ‘Federal Government Commissions N5.73bn Water Supply Scheme In Yobe,’ which was commissioned but without any water supply. Just a white elephant,” the source said.

The water scheme was reportedly inaugurated amid fanfare, with government officials touting it as a significant achievement.

“He was arrested yesterday (Friday) in Gashua and moved to Damaturu today after spending the night in detention,” the source added.

Following the arrest, there has been growing public outcry and calls for Jadda’s immediate release.

Supporters and political observers have condemned the arrest as an attack on free speech and democratic accountability.

“Anyone who doesn’t want opposition, looting, lying, and talking should not join politics. These are some of the symbols of politics,” a supporter of Jadda said.

Opposition in the state is also weighing in, describing the arrest as a disturbing reminder of the shrinking space for dissent in the country.

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