Why Ibrahim Lamido’s exit from the APC is a blessing

IN the often turbulent landscape of Nigerian politics, the departure of a sitting senator from a ruling party is typically framed as a seismic event—a “blow” to the party and an indication of a looming “crisis” in its ranks. However, the recent announcement by Senator Ibrahim Lamido, representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, that he has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) is being met with a reaction that defies conventional political logic. Rather than regret over his exit, the response from the APC Sokoto State chapter has been one of wild jubilation.

When a political party greets the departure of one of its serving senators as a huge relief—and even celebrates it—it speaks volumes about that individual’s relevance, or lack thereof, within the party structure. As one party member, Garba Idris, bluntly put it, the resignation of Lamido is “a good riddance to bad rubbish, and it’s absolutely of no consequence.” These sentiments did not emerge in a vacuum. They reflect a long-standing frustration with a man widely perceived as having long abandoned the party before formalizing his exit.

Stripped of media embellishment, Lamido’s resignation is neither a political earthquake nor hint of a crisis in the APC; rather, it is a predictable and inconsequential footnote that creates no vacuum within the party.

Senator Lamido’s exit, announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter), cited “persistent insecurity” and the “welfare of his constituents” as justification. To the uninitiated, these sound like the grievances of a principled politician. But to those who have watched the senator’s lackluster trajectory in the Red Chamber—and his futile attempts to factionalize the party—his resignation appears less a move of conscience and more the desperate gambit of a political adventurer who has reached the end of his tether within a disciplined structure.

The timing of his resignation further undermines his stated motives. Why now? Which people? And what has he done to alleviate their suffering? Why not earlier, when the alleged failures he decries were worse? The absence of clear, coherent answers suggests that his decision is less about principle and more about political repositioning.

In any functioning democracy, political parties are the institutional backbone of governance. They provide ideological direction, policy continuity, and the platform through which individuals ascend to power. In Nigeria, however, a predatory brand of politics has emerged, where individuals like Senator Lamido treat parties as mere “Special Purpose Vehicles” (SPVs)—to be boarded during election season and abandoned once they have reached their destination.

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Senator Lamido’s relationship with the APC appears largely transactional, reflecting a broader pattern in which some political actors treat parties as mere vehicles for electoral success. It is a well-documented irony that a man now claiming to stand for the “good people of Sokoto East” was, by most accounts, unable to secure a majority in his own polling unit, ward, or local government area during the 2023 elections. He has forgotten that he was carried across the finish line by the formidable machinery of the APC, led by Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and the strategic vision of Governor Ahmed Aliyu. Without the endorsement of Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida, the former APC State Chairman who introduced him to the “Iroko” of Sokoto politics, Senator Wamakko, Lamido would never have emerged as the candidate—let alone been elected—because he is a stranger to the people. Having climbed to the top using the party’s ladder, he has now decided to kick it away, forgetting that the party made him.

Like many politicians his commitment to good governance was questionable.  He refused to contribute to sustaining the party, leaving the burden of funding the APC’s structure to more dedicated members. This pattern—of using and discarding party platforms—has become all too familiar in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Beyond questions of loyalty lies a more fundamental issue: performance. Senator Lamido’s justification for his resignation hinges on concern for his constituents, particularly regarding insecurity and poverty. This raises an unavoidable question: while no one can deny the security challenges facing the country—especially in the North West—what did the “Distinguished” senator do about it?

Senator Lamido’s record in the Senate reflects a troubling absence of impact. He has neither sponsored a bill nor moved a motion since assuming office, and in a legislative environment where even symbolic actions can amplify critical issues, his silence was deafening. This lack of engagement underscores a performance that is  disappointing and wholly indefensible.

Unfortunately, the mass media often fails in its responsibility to hold figures like Lamido accountable by neglecting to ask hard questions. Journalism, at its best, holds power to account; it does not serve as a megaphone for unverified claims. In this case, many outlets failed to ask obvious questions. Side by side with his press release, the media ought to have informed Nigerians that he left the APC after effectively shooting himself in the foot, and that insecurity was merely a smokescreen. That the reasons cited by Lamido appear to be an escape route—self-serving and lacking in substance.

By neglecting to ask these questions, the media inadvertently enabled a narrative devoid of substance to gain traction. It is this kind of superficial coverage that allows politicians to get away with blue murder.

The media should also have pointed out his poor legislative record. If Senator Lamido was truly aggrieved by insecurity in Sokoto East, where are the motions or bills to support that claim? Even if security was too technical for his comprehension, where are the bills he sponsored to reform primary healthcare or disease prevention, given his role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases—a position with significant potential for impact in a country grappling with outbreaks such as cholera and Lassa fever?

To blame the party for “failing to safeguard the people” while holding a mandate to represent those very people in the highest legislative body in the land is the height of hypocrisy. Is it the party that should move motions on the Senate floor? Is it the party that should lobby federal agencies? Why did he not sponsor bills advocating for state police to strengthen the security architecture? Lamido had the platform, the title, and the resources for nearly three years—and did nothing. His sudden realization that his constituents are suffering amounts to a confession of legislative impotence.

Senator Lamido ought to know that representation goes beyond being addressed as “Distinguished.” It demands active engagement, legislative initiative, and persistent advocacy. To now claim that he is leaving the APC out of concern for his constituents—without any demonstrable record of effort—is political deception of the highest order.

It is important to ask: who exactly is Lamido holding responsible for the security situation—the Sokoto State chapter or the national body? His failure to acknowledge the efforts of Governor Ahmed Aliyu further confirms that this is about political positioning, having squandered his opportunity.

Since taking office, Governor Ahmed Aliyu has demonstrated a clear commitment to addressing insecurity through sustained logistical support to security agencies, improved coordination, and strengthened grassroots structures such as the Community Guard Corps. His administration’s consistent efforts and collaboration with federal authorities underscore a focused approach to restoring peace in the state.

There is little doubt that his failed attempt to factionalise the APC in Sokoto State is responsible for his decision to “run” from the party. Although the APC Constitution clearly outlines sanctions for anti-party activities, including actions that bring the party into disrepute, the party chose not to discipline Lamido—despite his conduct falling squarely within these provisions due to his political irrelevance.

Thankfully, with the experience of Lamido, the party appears to be moving toward a model where character, competence, and discipline are non-negotiable. His descent from political beneficiary to internal saboteur is instructive. Like the hood that does not make the monk, the title of “Senator” has not made Ibrahim Lamido a true representative.

While Lamido courts controversy in Abuja, the real work of governance continues in Sokoto State. To the credit of the APC-led administration under Governor Ahmed Aliyu, governance has remained the priority. Ongoing infrastructure projects, healthcare reforms, and educational initiatives suggest a government focused on delivering its mandate. This is where the real work of politics lies—not in press releases or social media posts, but in the steady, often unglamorous task of improving people’s lives.

Senator Lamido reminds one of the proverbial Eneke bird in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, who, after a heavy meal, felt bold enough to challenge his chi to a wrestling match. Having been politically elevated by the APC, Lamido now appears emboldened to challenge the very forces that sustained him. His day of reckoning may not be far off.

The APC in Sokoto remains an “Iroko” tree. A thousand “Ibrahim Lamidos” throwing pebbles at its trunk cannot shake it. His exit creates no vacuum; rather, it allows the party to focus on leaders who understand that power is a trust.

For the people of Sokoto East, the implications are immediate. They deserve a representative—a senator who actively engages in lawmaking, advocates for their interests, and delivers tangible results.

As the 2027 election cycle approaches, the electorate should remember not the tweets or press statements, but performance. They should remember a governor who stayed to work—and a senator who left, having never truly led.

The so-called resignation of Senator Lamido is not a crisis. The APC Sokoto State chapter remains stable, Sokoto is on the path of progress, and the “Distinguished Benchwarmer” is finally free to find a bench elsewhere—where expectations match his record.

• Ado writes from Sokoto.