The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State is currently facing a serious internal crisis, with two rival factions fighting for control of the party.
The rift is primarily between two key figures: Senator Aliyu Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North, and Senator Ibrahim Lamido of Sokoto Central. Both politicians are influential in Sokoto’s political landscape, and their clash has created significant tension within the APC.
The conflict, which has been building for some time, revolves around more than just political rivalry. According to insiders, it also concerns control over the state’s resources and how Sokoto is governed.
Senator Wamakko, a former governor of Sokoto, has been a dominant figure in the state’s politics for years and is seen as a mentor to Governor Ahmed Aliyu. However, Senator Lamido and his supporters are now challenging his influence.
“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,” one source revealed to Weekend Trust.
Lamido’s faction believes that both Governor Aliyu and Senator Wamakko have too much control over Sokoto’s affairs and the state’s resources. They are considering forming a separate party structure to challenge the current APC leadership. One of Lamido’s allies, Sani Yakubu Gudu, a representative for Gudu/Tangaza, stated their resolve to fight for what they see as the interests of the people.
“We must protect the interests of the people who elected us. We cannot sit back and let the names of Governor Aliyu and Wamakko ruin the APC’s integrity,” Gudu said.
The support for Lamido’s faction is growing, with politicians, traditional rulers, and even members of opposition parties like the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP reportedly backing the group.
Many of them are concerned about the way the state is being run, particularly issues like insecurity, corruption, and questionable use of public funds. Gudu specifically mentioned the governor’s recent approval of N1.2 billion for repairing 25 boreholes, calling the cost “daylight robbery.”
“N1.2 billion for repairing 25 boreholes? Spending N48 million on a single borehole is absurd. This is daylight robbery,” Gudu argued.
He also criticized the governor for neglecting more pressing issues, such as improving basic services and addressing banditry, while focusing on beautification projects that do little to benefit the people.
In response, Sokoto APC Chairman Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida dismissed these claims as the actions of “desperate political losers” attempting to create divisions in the party. He defended both Senator Wamakko and Governor Aliyu, saying that the accusations were baseless and that they would challenge them in court.
“They will have to defend these claims in court. Senator Wamakko has never handled any government contract in his life,” Achida said.
Achida also defended the governor’s development projects, stating that they were necessary improvements to the capital city of Sokoto. He cited examples like the distribution of fertilizers and the N13 billion Wurno irrigation scheme as proof that the current administration is focused on bettering the state.
