Kogi West APC Stakeholders Declare Karimi Authentic Senatorial Candidate, Reject Claims Against Primary Outcome
The Kogi West APC Stakeholders Forum has reaffirmed Senator Sunday Steve Karimi as the party’s duly elected senatorial candidate for the 2027 elections, insisting that his emergence followed due process and was upheld by the APC Appeal Committee.
The Kogi West APC Stakeholders Forum has reaffirmed Senator Sunday Steve Karimi as the duly elected candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Kogi West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 National Assembly election, insisting that the party’s internal processes validated his emergence.
The forum made its position known during a world press conference held in Lokoja on Sunday, where it dismissed recent claims by another group alleging that Hon. Aro Samuel Bamidele emerged winner of the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, Pastor Stanley Ajileye described Karimi’s emergence as a triumph for internal democracy, the APC and the people of Kogi West.
According to him, the senatorial primary was conducted in a free, fair and credible manner, with the exercise monitored by party officials, representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and members of the media.
He explained that Senator Karimi was declared winner after the official collation of results at the primary election.
Responding to allegations made by another group claiming to represent APC leaders in Kogi West, Pastor Ajileye said the forum would ordinarily have ignored what it described as false claims but considered it necessary to clarify the facts in the public interest.
The stakeholders alleged that some members of the Primary Election Committee later submitted a different result to the APC National Collation Centre in Abuja, naming another aspirant as the winner.
According to the forum, Senator Karimi challenged the development by petitioning the APC Primary Election Appeal Committee and supporting his complaint with documentary evidence.
It stated that after reviewing the petition, the party’s national leadership upheld Karimi’s victory, affirming him as the authentic APC candidate for the Kogi West Senatorial District.
The forum commended the APC leadership for what it described as its commitment to justice, due process and the protection of the mandate freely given by party members during the primary election.
The stakeholders also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to internal democracy within the APC, saying his leadership has continued to strengthen confidence in the party’s democratic processes.
Similarly, the forum praised Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his reconciliation efforts before the primary election, noting that the consultations helped to ensure a peaceful and successful exercise.
The stakeholders further commended Senator Karimi for extending an olive branch to fellow aspirants after the primary, describing the move as a demonstration of political maturity, statesmanship and commitment to party unity.
According to the forum, Karimi’s widespread acceptance across the seven local government areas of Kogi West, coupled with his constituency development initiatives and grassroots engagement, has further strengthened the APC’s support base within the district.
The group stressed that the focus should now be on consolidating party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections rather than reopening issues it believes have already been resolved through the party’s internal mechanisms.
“There is no victor and no vanquished. The true winner is the APC, while the ultimate beneficiaries are the people of Kogi West,” the forum declared.
The stakeholders called on party members and supporters to remain united and continue working towards the success of the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Sunday Steve Karimi in the 2027 elections.