The Sokoto State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become encumbered with an internal crisis, which has split the party into two rival factions led by Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North) and Senator Ibrahim Lamido (Sokoto Central).
Senator Wamakko, a former governor of the state, who is considered the undisputed leader of the APC in Sokoto and a political godfather to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, is now facing a formidable challenge from the Lamido-led faction.
The internal rift, Weekend Trust gathered, revolves around allegations of corruption, bad governance, and the demolition of public structures, creating tension within the political landscape of the state.
A source close to the dispute stated: “This crisis is no longer just about politics; it’s about who controls Sokoto’s resources. Senator Wamakko has had the upper hand for years, but Senator Lamido believes it’s time for a change.”
The conflict escalated to a point where Senator Lamido’s faction threatened to form a parallel party structure to free the APC from what they perceive as the undue influence of the governor and his mentor.
Speaking on behalf of the faction in a chat with Weekend Trust, Sani Yakubu Gudu, a member representing Gudu/Tangaza Federal Constituency, said their goal was to “salvage the APC from total collapse under the hands of Governor Aliyu and his godfather.”
He added: “We have tried our best to make these two politicians correct their mistakes, but they refused to listen to us. And we cannot just fold our arms watching them spoil our names. We were elected by our people, and we must protect their interest at all costs.” .
Growing support for Lamido’s faction
While internal crises are not new to the APC in Sokoto, the latest dispute is taking on a new and potentially dangerous dimension. Weekend Trust recalled that prior to the 2023 general elections, the APC in Sokoto State faced a serious internal crisis, which led to the formation of two separate party executives.
Findings indicate that while Senator Lamido and Hon. Gudu are the most prominent figures involved in the renewed crisis, many persons—including traditional rulers, politicians, government officials, and academics—are quietly supporting the new faction. Sources also confirmed that some serving commissioners, special advisers, and political appointees in Governor Aliyu’s cabinet are backing the group.
Additionally, members of opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have reportedly aligned with the new faction.
Hon. Gudu explained that the current crisis stems from concerns over governance and insecurity. “The governor’s administration has failed to address the needs of the people of Sokoto. This is not what we signed up for when we joined the APC,” he said.
Referring to a recent controversy, he added, “We all saw a video where Governor Aliyu promised that he would not disappoint the people of Sokoto. But since assuming office, what has he done? He announced a contract to repair 25 boreholes at the cost of N1.2 billion. For goodness’ sake, does it make sense to spend N48 million on repairing a single borehole? This is daylight robbery.”
Further exacerbating the crisis, Hon. Gudu accused the governor of unjustifiably removing traditional rulers from their positions over political allegations, and failing to address the issue of banditry in parts of the state.
“I personally lodged complaints to the governor regarding banditry in my constituency, but he refused to take action. How can we, as elected officials, just sit back and watch our people suffer?,” he queried.
Gudu also criticised the governor for focusing on beautification projects in the Sokoto metropolis, while “neglecting more pressing concerns like unemployment, education, and agriculture. Our people need projects that will improve their lives, not expensive cosmetic changes to the city.”
He added: “The Sokoto State government has received billions of naira from the federal government, but there are no significant projects on the ground to show for it. Where did the money go? Governor Aliyu and Senator Wamakko need to answer these questions.”
APC denies allegations
When contacted, government officials referred our correspondent to the Chairman of the APC in Sokoto State.
Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida, in a chat with Weekend Trust denied the allegations against Governor Aliyu and Senator Wamakko, dismissing the claims as the desperate actions of political losers.
“These allegations are coming from people who have lost relevance in Sokoto politics. They are trying to create confusion, but they will not succeed”, he said.
He further stated, “On the allegation of corruption, we will meet them in court. They have to defend their claims in the court of law. They will have to tell us who is involved, where, and when. And as for Senator Wamakko, he has never handled a government contract in his life.”
Achida also dismissed the threat of a factional leadership emerging within the Sokoto APC. “APC is intact in Sokoto. We don’t have any faction, and we will not tolerate any group trying to create one.”
In response to the criticism of ongoing beautification projects in Sokoto metropolis, Achida said: “People were complaining for years that Sokoto’s capital was being neglected. Now that the government is addressing that, these politicians are still complaining.”
He added, “The government has distributed 300 trailers of fertiliser to farmers, and awarded a N13 billion contract for the Wurno irrigation scheme. These are projects that will benefit the people, but some just refuse to acknowledge the good being done.”
Bad governance behind the crisis—PDP
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has attributed the APC’s internal crisis to poor governance.
PDP Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, said Governor Aliyu’s administration had been marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
“The Sokoto State government awarded a contract to repair 25 boreholes at a cost of N1.2 billion. We challenge the APC-led government to provide evidence of this project, including the contract papers, locations, and cost breakdown,” Sanyinnawal said.
The PDP spokesperson also questioned the wisdom of spending large sums of money on fencing streets within the Sokoto metropolis while parts of the state continue to suffer from banditry. “Is fencing more important than addressing the banditry that’s threatening the lives of our people?”
Sanyinnawal concluded, “The Sokoto State government’s failure to address insecurity and corruption has led to the implosion of the APC. It’s no surprise that the party is tearing itself apart.”
Yauri Flats Estate protest
The crisis also saw a protest by over 300 occupants of the Yauri Flats Estate, whose homes were slated for demolition by the Sokoto State government. The protesters, who have been living in the estate for decades, stormed the residence of Senator Wamakko to plead with him to intervene on their behalf.
One of the protesters, Malam Lukman, spoke on behalf of the group: “We have been living in these houses for over 50 years. All we are asking is that the government allows us to purchase the homes we have been occupying for so long, instead of selling them to outsiders.”
However, Governor Aliyu, who arrived at Wamakko’s residence during the protest, refused to engage with the group.
Political analysts weigh in
Meanwhile, political analysts have warned that the crisis could escalate.
One analyst speculated that Wamakko may be exploring a “Plan B” involving a potential defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) if the Lamido faction prevails.
“If this internal fight is not resolved, it will destabilise the party and its leadership,” the analyst, who asked not to be named, concluded, calling on the APC national leadership to step in and mediate before the situation spirals out of control.
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