Senator Ibrahim Lamido Defects to ADC Citing Rampant Insecurity and Government Inaction in Sokoto East

Senator Ibrahim Lamido leaves the APC for the ADC, citing the government's failure to protect Sokoto East from daily banditry, kidnappings, and displacement.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 9:59 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Punch

A Constituent-Led Political Shift

Senator Ibrahim Lamido, representing the Sokoto East Senatorial District, officially announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on April 23, 2026. Speaking to journalists in Sokoto, Lamido emphasized that his departure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was not driven by personal ambition but by a collective decision made by the people of his district. He stated that the move is a direct response to the systemic failure of the current administration to protect residents from the rising wave of violence.

Escalating Insecurity in Sokoto East

The lawmaker painted a grim picture of the current state of affairs in his constituency, where daily life is defined by the threat of killings, kidnappings, and forced displacement by bandits. Lamido noted that many communities are under constant siege, and economic activities have effectively come to a standstill. He revealed that movement within the district has become so hazardous that constituents often require armed escorts to travel to Sokoto town, and even then, travel is restricted to specific days to minimize risk.

Criticism of State and Federal Response

Lamido directed sharp criticism at both the state and federal governments, accusing them of providing little to no meaningful intervention for suffering communities. He specifically challenged recent claims by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who suggested that security efforts in the eastern part of the state were yielding positive results. While Lamido acknowledged that some efforts are being made, he insisted that the reality on the ground—characterized by repeated abductions and home invasions—does not reflect any significant improvement.