Kogi West APC, LGA Party Chairmen Reject Karimi’s 2027 Ticket

Executive members of the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kogi West, alongside the seven local government area (LGA) party chairmen in the senatorial district, have advised the party’s national and state leadership against fielding Senator Sunday Karimi for a second term in the 2027 general elections.

At a press conference, the party leaders said their position followed months of extensive consultations with stakeholders, including traditional rulers, youth groups, women organisations, and ward executives across the district.

In a statement jointly signed by the 13 state executive members from the zone and the seven LGA party chairmen, and read by the APC State Youth Leader, Hon. Abdulrasheed Buhari, the leaders cited a “loss of confidence” in the senator. They attributed this to what they described as inadequate representation and growing concerns over his electoral viability.

The leaders accused Senator Karimi of weak grassroots engagement, noting that more than two years into his tenure, there is no functional constituency office to facilitate access to federal opportunities or maintain effective communication with constituents.

They further alleged that the senator has failed to sustain relationships with party structures that supported his emergence in the 2023 elections, resulting in increasing dissatisfaction among key stakeholders in Kogi West.

On legislative performance, the APC officials claimed there is no visible record of bills or motions sponsored by the lawmaker that have directly benefitted the district, a situation they say has contributed to his declining popularity.

They urged the party leadership to withhold automatic support for the senator’s re-election bid and instead allow for an open and transparent primary process to test his popularity.

Additionally, they called for the convening of an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to identify a more credible and widely acceptable candidate capable of securing victory for the party in Kogi West.

As part of efforts to strengthen internal cohesion, the leaders also proposed a reconciliation framework aimed at rebuilding trust and restoring unity within the party across the district.

Despite their criticisms, the APC officials reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and expressed continued support for the administrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

They described their position as a “patriotic call to action” intended to safeguard the party’s electoral prospects, warning that failure to address the concerns raised could cost the APC the Kogi West senatorial seat in 2027.

Those present at the meeting included:

Alhaji Aliyu Sanni Suleiman (Deputy State Chairman), Abdulrasheed Buhari (State Youth Leader), Emmanuel Ayo (Zonal Chairman), Ibrahim Sherif (State Treasurer), Babaniyi Oluwayemisi (Ex Officio), Dele Olufemi Solomon (Assistant Secretary), Muhammed Shuaibu Sanusi (Assistant Auditor), Jonathan Ayodimeji (Assistant Financial Secretary), Arogbonlo John Oluwasegun (Zonal Youth Leader), Lawal Aina Sunday (Assistant Organising Secretary), Adeyeye Florence Toyin (Zonal Women Leader), Lawrence Callistus Dauda (Legal Adviser), Kubere Jimoh Olorunnale (Kabba/Bunu LGA Chairman), Idris Jibril Kasim (Lokoja LGA Chairman), Abdulrazaq Abdulkadir (Yagba East LGA Chairman), Oyewole Mayowa Solomon (Ijumu LGA Chairman), Abayomi Sunday (Yagba West LGA Chairman), and Adeyemo Olajide Stephen (Mopamuro and Koton Karfe LGA Chairman).