Senator Ibrahim Lamido
As political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, with party membership electronic verification exercises completed and some parties already concluding their ward, local government, and state congresses, NATIONAL ACCORD correspondent, Ankeli Emmanuel, in this analysis, examines the chances of some key political actors in Sokoto State.
No doubt, permutations over who gets what in the political space of each state have gradually begun, especially with the ongoing membership registration processes. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), for instance, has not only completed its electronic registration but has also gone ahead to conclude its ward, local government, state, and national congresses.
Political pundits, in their submissions regarding the e-registration, inferred that the APC appears to have stepped up not just a membership expansion strategy but also a methodical effort to measure its electoral strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Giving credence to this position, the immediate past Sokoto State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sadiq Isa Achida, while briefing newsmen before the commencement of the e-registration exercise, said it would be used to gauge the party’s membership strength.
As straightforward as that message appeared, Achida, however, struck a firmer tone when he added that the former membership cards owned by party members had expired as of the end of December 2025.
Impliedly, Achida’s message became clearer when he encouraged members across wards, local governments, and the state to ensure compliance, adding: “Only this new e-registration will give you the legality to become not only a full member of our great party but also vote and seek elective positions under the party’s platform.”
As expected, the flag-off of the exercise witnessed the registration of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (APC), representing Sokoto North Senatorial District. He was registered alongside the State Deputy Governor, Idris Gobir, as well as other top party stalwarts, including the Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, the Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, and Ambassador-designate, Dr. Kulu Haruna, among others.
Interestingly, with the APC controlling two out of the three senatorial districts in Sokoto State, it was expected that Senator Ibrahim Lamido (APC), representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, would also participate in the exercise.
However, that did not happen — a development that left many political observers wondering about the possible reasons behind his absence.
*Lamido’s Voyage into Sokoto Politics*
Prior to 2023, not many had the inclination that a political newcomer, Ibrahim Lamido from Isa Local Government Area, who largely resided in Abuja, would eventually become the Senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District.
This was particularly surprising given the presence of several political heavyweights from the senatorial district who were deeply rooted in grassroots politics and widely known across the zone.
Sokoto East Senatorial District comprises eight local government areas — Gada, Gudu, Goronyo, Isa, Sabon Birni, Illela, Tangaza, and Rabah — with a significant voting population capable of determining the political direction of the state.
For Ibrahim Lamido, his emergence appeared to be a case of opportunity meeting availability. The Sokoto East senatorial seat became open ahead of the 2023 general elections when Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, who had represented the district for three consecutive terms, opted to contest the governorship ticket of the APC.
Before the 2023 general elections, all three senators from Sokoto State were members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Former governor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, represented Sokoto North Senatorial District; Ibrahim Danbaba represented Sokoto South; while Ibrahim Gobir represented Sokoto East Senatorial District.
Preparatory to the 2023 primary elections, Senator Ibrahim Lamido was nowhere in Sokoto’s political discourse. His sudden emergence as the APC senatorial candidate for Sokoto East sparked widespread debate, as it came as a surprise to many political stakeholders within the state.
*How Wamakko’s Factor Favoured Lamido in 2023*
Prior to the 2023 general elections, Senator Ibrahim Lamido’s political trajectory was largely limited. His only known political affiliation was his membership of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), after which he exited active politics following an appointment with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served at the Nigerian Embassy in Niger Republic.
For many political observers, Lamido was not considered a frontline political figure in Sokoto East Senatorial District. The most visible political interaction many recalled was his occasional visits to Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, widely regarded as Sokoto’s political godfather.
However, in 2022, a new political alignment began to emerge. Lamido, who is also an heir to the Sultanate throne, gradually became more visible in the political space, accompanying Senator Wamakko to various political gatherings and consultations across the state.
This sudden visibility sparked curiosity among observers, many of whom began to see Lamido as a possible political understudy positioning himself within Wamakko’s political structure.
*How Lamido Became an Option*
As political activities gathered momentum ahead of the 2023 general elections, the then Senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, declared his intention to contest the Sokoto State governorship under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Although insiders had widely speculated that Senator Wamakko had already anointed Ahmed Aliyu as his preferred governorship candidate, other aspirants still contested the primaries, keeping the process competitive.
The APC governorship primary election featured Ahmed Aliyu, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, Hon. Faruk Malami Yabo, and Abdullahi Abubakar Gumbi, all testing their political strength.
However, political pundits described the primary election as a strategic political manoeuvre that ultimately favoured Ahmed Aliyu, widely believed to be Senator Wamakko’s preferred candidate, who eventually emerged victorious.
Following the outcome, some aggrieved aspirants left the APC in protest, while others, including Senator Ibrahim Gobir, remained in the party but could not return to the Senate, having already contested for governorship.
Meanwhile, another potential contender from Sokoto East, Col. Garba Moyi (rtd), who had defected from the administration of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal where he served as Special Adviser on Security Matters, was also considered. However, insiders suggested that he was not deemed politically strong enough for the senatorial race at the time.
With Senator Gobir’s seat vacant and the political dynamics shaped by his perceived opposition to Wamakko’s preferred governorship candidate, the search for a loyal replacement began.
It was within this context that Ibrahim Lamido, then largely seen as a political newcomer, emerged as the available option.
That decision ultimately paved the way for Lamido to secure the APC senatorial ticket for Sokoto East — a development many political observers described as the making of an “accidental politician.”
*How Wamakko–Lamido Crisis Began*
After the APC won the 2023 elections in Sokoto State, the party dissolved local government party structures and constituted caretaker committees to oversee party affairs.
During the process, Senator Lamido reportedly nominated his close ally, Maniru Mainasara — whom some insiders alleged had previously worked with him in Kaduna — to be appointed caretaker chairman of Isa Local Government Area.
However, Lamido’s request was reportedly declined, with the slot instead given to Col. Garba Moyi (rtd) as compensation for being denied the Sokoto East senatorial ticket earlier.
Col. Moyi subsequently nominated one of his political allies, Isa Mohammed Dandela, for the caretaker position.
This development reportedly upset Senator Lamido, who allegedly felt sidelined within the political structure he believed he was part of.
Consequently, Lamido was said to have gradually distanced himself from APC activities in Sokoto State.
*Senate Presidency Disagreement*
Another development believed to have further strained the relationship between the two political figures was the contest for the position of President of the Senate following the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
It was widely alleged that Senator Wamakko preferred former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, for Senate President. However, Senator Ibrahim Lamido reportedly supported the eventual winner, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Though both camps maintained silence on the development, political insiders claimed the disagreement deepened the existing rift.
Observers further suggested that concerns about Lamido’s political independence and perceived lack of consultation with party leadership may have worsened the situation.
*Is Lamido’s Political Future Hanging in the Balance?*
Following the APC ward, local government, and state congresses in Sokoto State, which Senator Lamido reportedly did not attend, political observers noted another twist when he allegedly announced a parallel factional leadership.
Lamido was said to have named former APC Chairman in Goronyo Local Government, Hon. Kabiru Sarkin Fulani, as State Chairman, with Lamir Sahabi as State Secretary.
However, the Sokoto State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Isa Sadiq Achida, dismissed Lamido’s claims, stating that the senator was no longer a member of the party after failing to revalidate his membership.
According to Achida:
“Lamido didn’t revalidate his membership with the APC. And that goes to show that he has quietly pulled himself off.
“The electronic registration that we did was to help know who and who is still a member of the party.”
*Political Future Ahead of 2027*
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gradually intensify, questions are now being raised about Senator Lamido’s political future, especially as he has not openly associated himself with any political party in Sokoto State.
There are, however, growing speculations that Lamido may be heading to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Efforts to speak with Senator Lamido on his political affiliation were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, sources claimed that many of his supporters and political appointees have already defected to the ADC.
Reacting to the speculation, Sokoto State Chairman of the ADC, Hon. Abdullahi Maigwandu, said confirmation would be better obtained from Lamido himself.
With political realignments underway ahead of the 2027 general elections, observers remain divided on Lamido’s chances.
While some believe that his possible defection to the ADC could strengthen the party, citing his perceived grassroots influence and constituency projects, others dismiss the possibility, arguing that his limited physical presence in the senatorial district — particularly during condolence visits and community engagements — may weaken his political standing.
For now, political watchers say only time will determine whether Senator Ibrahim Lamido’s political journey will gain renewed momentum or face further uncertainty as 2027 approaches.
