The senator representing Sokoto East, Ibrahim Lamido, has announced his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing worsening insecurity in his constituency.
His planned exit comes amid rising concerns over persistent bandit attacks and the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.
Politics Nigeria reports that Lamido made his position known while addressing journalists in Sokoto on Friday.
He said the continued violence across communities in Sokoto East had made it impossible for him to remain in the ruling party.
According to him, the situation on the ground no longer reflects the promises made to the people.
The lawmaker painted a grim picture of daily life in his district. He explained that several villages have been overrun by armed groups, forcing residents to flee their homes.
Farms have been abandoned, livelihoods destroyed, and families displaced. He stressed that the scale of suffering has reached a breaking point.
“My people are enduring untold hardship. Bandits have destroyed entire communities, and I cannot remain in a system that has failed to demonstrate sufficient commitment to resolving this crisis,” Lamido stated.
He said his decision did not come lightly. The senator revealed that he had held a series of consultations with community leaders, political associates, and supporters before arriving at the move.
According to him, the general agreement was that a new political direction had become necessary.
Lamido also disclosed that he had repeatedly raised concerns about insecurity at the federal level. He noted that despite several efforts to draw attention to the situation, there had been little meaningful response.
This, he said, contributed significantly to his decision to step away from the APC.
He insisted that his action was not driven by personal ambition but by a sense of responsibility to the people he represents. He added that any government must prioritise the safety of lives and property, stressing that leadership must be held accountable when it falls short.
The senator further called on the federal government to intensify efforts to tackle banditry, not just in Sokoto State but across the wider northern region. He warned that failure to act decisively could deepen the humanitarian crisis and further destabilise affected communities.
Sokoto East Senatorial District, which covers areas such as Sabon Birni, Isa, and Rabah, has in recent years become one of the most affected zones by banditry in northwestern Nigeria. Attacks on villages have remained frequent, with reports of killings, kidnappings, and destruction of property.
Despite ongoing military operations, residents continue to face uncertainty, with many relocating to safer towns or neighboring areas.
While Lamido did not clearly state his next political move, there are indications that some of his close allies who recently left the APC have joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), raising speculation about his possible alignment.