I will join APC if Tinubu ends insecurity in North – Sule Lamido

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has rejected claims by Vice-President Kashim Shettima that he and other former governors from the state have aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress APC.

Lamido said he would only consider joining the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections if President Bola Tinubu’s administration could end insecurity in the North and restore peace and unity to the region.

He made the position known on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in response to Shettima’s remarks at the APC presidential campaign rally in Dutse, Jigawa State.

The former governor described Shettima’s declaration as misleading, accusing the Vice-President of attempting to use the names of prominent opposition politicians to create the impression that the APC enjoys widespread support in the state.

Lamido questioned how he could have joined the APC when he had remained outside the party since 2014.

“I don’t know where Kashim Shettima got that information. I was not with the APC in 2014, so why would I suddenly become a member in 2026?” he asked.

He challenged the ruling party to showcase its achievements in Jigawa and other Northern states, arguing that its failure to point to significant accomplishments had forced it to associate itself with influential politicians from the region.

Lamido, however, said he would be willing to join the APC if the Tinubu administration successfully tackled kidnapping, Boko Haram insurgency, banditry and other security threats across Northern Nigeria.

“If they can end kidnapping, Boko Haram, banditry and all the other problems affecting the North, I will certainly join the APC. Everything we do should be for the benefit of our people,” he said.

The former governor also dismissed Shettima’s claim using the Kanuri expression “kattuwunum”, which he explained means a lie or falsehood.

Shettima had earlier declared at Tuesday’s APC rally in Dutse that Jigawa was firmly behind the ruling party. He specifically claimed that all four former governors of the state, including Lamido, a founding figure of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, had aligned with the APC.

The declaration sparked reactions, with several Nigerians questioning the claim that Lamido had abandoned the opposition for the ruling party.