Senator Ibrahim Lamido of Sokoto East has announced his intention to leave the All Progressives Congress, citing the deteriorating security situation in his constituency as the primary reason. He stated that communities within Sokoto East have been abandoned, with bandit attacks escalating without meaningful intervention. In an interview with journalists, Lamido expressed frustration over the federal government's failure to protect residents, particularly in areas like Shafa'atu Suleiman, which have faced repeated violence. The senator emphasized that the lack of security presence and actionable response from relevant agencies had eroded public trust.
Lamido, who has served under the APC platform, said his decision was not taken lightly but was necessitated by the suffering of his constituents. He pointed to frequent kidnappings, killings, and destruction of property by armed bandits, which he claimed local authorities and the national government have failed to curb. According to him, several communities are now cut off, with residents unable to farm or move freely due to fear of attacks. He did not specify which political party he might join but affirmed that his priority was to advocate for urgent security intervention regardless of affiliation.
Lamido's departure from the APC, if formalized, will be officially communicated in the coming days, and he is expected to make further statements outlining his next political steps.
When Senator Ibrahim Lamido says his constituents have been abandoned, he is directly challenging the government's claim of control in northwestern Nigeria. His planned exit from the APC is not just a political shift—it signals that even ruling party allies no longer believe the security narrative sold to the public. If a sitting senator feels compelled to leave his party over insecurity, then the crisis in Sokoto East is far deeper than official reports suggest. This is not dissent; it is a collapse of confidence from within the ruling structure.
