Fresh controversy has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West following the circulation of what party stakeholders described as a forged result of the May 18, 2026 senatorial primary election.
The stakeholders, under the umbrella of Kogi West APC Stakeholders and Supporters, rejected the document in a strongly worded statement signed by Stanley Ajileye.
The disputed document allegedly declared Hon. Sam Aro as winner of the APC senatorial primary, a development the group described as false, fraudulent, and contrary to established facts surrounding the exercise.
According to the stakeholders, Hon. Sam Aro had formally withdrawn from the contest before the primary election in obedience to party directives and in support of the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
They argued that it was therefore illogical and misleading for anyone to present him as winner of an election he did not participate in.
The statement further disclosed that all aspirants in the race had already agreed to adopt Sunday Karimi as the consensus candidate of the party, adding that documentary and electronic evidence existed to support the claim.
The stakeholders insisted that the authentic primary election was properly conducted and supervised in line with APC guidelines, with Senator Karimi emerging as the duly elected candidate for Kogi West Senatorial District.
They alleged that the circulation of the controversial result may have been orchestrated by political opponents seeking to exploit divisions and weaken the growing unity among APC members in the district.
“This desperate act is aimed at creating confusion, mistrust, and unnecessary tension within the party,” the statement noted.
The group also moved to shield the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, from the controversy, insisting that he should not be linked to what they described as politically motivated manipulation.
According to them, Governor Ododo had consistently demonstrated political sincerity and should not be portrayed as supporting conflicting interests.
Calling for urgent intervention, the stakeholders urged the APC National Working Committee and the party’s national leadership to reject the alleged forged result and reaffirm the officially declared outcome of the primary election.
They also called on security agencies to investigate the source of the document and prosecute all those involved in its circulation.
The statement concluded with an appeal to APC members and supporters across Kogi West to remain peaceful and united while ignoring unauthorised documents and reports capable of causing disaffection within the party.
