Ahead of the 2027 general elections, executive members of the Kogi state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kogi West and all the seven LGA party chairmen from the zone have advised the party’s national and state leadership against fielding Senator Sunday Karimi for a second term.
At a press conference in Kabba on Wednesday, local government party chairmen and state executive members from the senatorial district said their position followed months of consultations with party stakeholders, traditional rulers, youth groups, women organisations and ward executives across the seven local government areas.
In a press statement signed by all the thirteen state executive members of the party from the zone and the seven local government party Chairmen and read by the APC State Youth Leader, Comrade Buhari Lokoja, the party leaders said the decision was based on what they described as a “loss of confidence” in the senator, citing alleged failures in representation and concerns over his electoral viability.
They accused Karimi of lacking effective grassroots engagement, noting that more than two years into his tenure, there was no functional constituency office to facilitate access to federal opportunities, and interactions with constituents.
According to them, the senator had also failed to sustain relationships with party structures that supported his emergence in the 2023 elections, leading to growing dissatisfaction among stakeholders in the district.
On legislative performance, the APC leaders claimed there was no visible record of bills or motions sponsored by the lawmaker that directly benefitted Kogi West, a situation they said had contributed to his declining popularity.
They warned that presenting Karimi as the party’s candidate in 2027 could pose a significant electoral risk, alleging widespread rejection of his leadership by traditional institutions, community groups and party executives.
The party leaders urged the APC leadership to withhold support for the senator’s re-election bid and allow him to participate in an open primary to test his popularity.
They also called for the convening of an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to identify what they described as a more credible and widely acceptable candidate capable of securing victory for the party in Kogi West.
In addition, the leaders proposed a reconciliation framework aimed at rebuilding trust within the party and restoring unity across the district.
Despite their criticisms, the APC officials reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and expressed support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
They described their position as a “patriotic call to action” intended to protect the party’s chances in future elections, warning that failure to address the concerns raised could cost the APC the Kogi West senatorial seat in 2027.
Those present at the meeting were:
1.Alice Salihu Suleiman- Deputy State Chairman
2.Ibrahim Sherif- State Treasurer
3.Buhari Abdulrasheed- State Youth Leader
4.Emmanuel Ayo- Zonal Chairman
5.Arogbonle John Oluwasegun- Zonal Youth Leader
6.Adeyeye Florence Toyin- Zonal Women Leader
7.Kobere Jimoh Olorunale- Kabba/Bunu L.G.A Chairman
8.Idris Jibril Kasim- Lokoja L.G.A Chairman
9.Abdulrazaq Abdulkadir- Yagba-East L.G.A
10.Oyewole Mayowa Solomon- Ijumu L.G.A Chairman
11.Abayomi Sunday- Yagba-West L.G.A Chairman
12.Adeyemo Olajide Stephen- Mopamuro L.G.A Chairman
13.Lawrence Callistus Dauda- Legal Adviser
14.Lawal Aina Sunday- Assistant Organizing Secretary
15.Dele Olufemi Solomon- Assistant Secretary
16.Jonathan Ayodimeji- Assistant Financial Secretary
17.Muhammad Shuaibu Sanusi- Assistant Auditor
18.Babaniyi Oluwayemisi- Ex Officio
