Banditry: Sen. Lamido Explains Exit from APC, Cites Abandonment of Sokoto East Communities
Senator Ibrahim Lamido, representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, has clarified the reasons behind his planned defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), attributing his decision to the worsening insecurity in his constituency.
In an interview with journalists, Lamido lamented the continued wave of bandit attacks across several communities in Sokoto East, accusing the APC-led government of failing to respond effectively to the crisis. He noted that many villages have been severely affected, with residents displaced and their means of livelihood destroyed.
The senator stressed that his decision to leave the party was not driven by personal or political ambition, but by the need to align with the interests and safety of his constituents. According to him, repeated efforts to draw federal attention to the situation yielded little or no meaningful intervention.
He stated that the suffering of his people and the destruction of entire communities made it untenable for him to remain within a system that, in his view, has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to ending the insecurity.
Lamido further disclosed that his decision followed wide consultations with supporters, political associates, and community stakeholders, who collectively agreed on the need to seek a new political platform that would prioritize security and development.
He emphasized that safeguarding lives and property remains the core responsibility of government, warning that failure to do so must attract accountability from leadership.
While the senator did not formally announce his next political destination, indications show that some of his close allies have already defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He also urged the federal government to scale up efforts in addressing banditry in Sokoto State and across northern Nigeria, cautioning that continued inaction could worsen the humanitarian situation in the region.
