A coalition of leaders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West has publicly called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject any attempt to replace Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro as the party’s senatorial candidate for the zone, insisting that due process must be respected.
Addressing journalists in a world press briefing in Lokoja on Saturday, the Kogi West APC Leaders Forum said Aro emerged as the winner of the party’s senatorial primary with the highest number of valid votes, a result it said was affirmed after review by the APC Appeal Committee. The group said reports from electoral and security institutions — including INEC, the Nigeria Police, and the Department of State Services — were also made available during the process, and that Aro’s details had since been transmitted to INEC.
Speaking on behalf of the formu, a former Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam, grounded its appeal in the provisions of the Electoral Act governing candidate substitution.
According to the group, once a candidate’s name and details have been forwarded to INEC, substitution can only occur if the candidate formally notifies INEC in writing of his withdrawal and reasons for doing so, or in the event of the candidate’s death, which must be proven to the commission.
The leaders maintained that neither condition applies to Aro, stating that he has neither withdrawn his candidacy in writing to INEC nor died. On that basis, they urged the commission to decline any request from the APC to substitute him, referencing INEC’s own recent public position on similar substitution requests affecting Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates.
The group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his relationship with Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and thanked the President for approving contracts for the rehabilitation of the Obajana-Kabba-Egbe-Omuaran-Ilorin and Kabba-Iyara-Ifaki roads. It pledged the support of Kogi West residents for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
At the same time, the forum specifically appealed to the President to direct Governor Ododo and the APC leadership not to proceed with substituting Aro’s name, arguing that doing so would be inconsistent with the party’s constitution and Nigeria’s electoral laws.
The group listed five demands: that officially recognized reports and lawful procedures guide the outcome; that justice prevail over expediency; that the results of the primary election be respected; that the will of party members be protected; and that no action be taken that could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
While describing the dispute as bigger than any single candidate, the forum urged its supporters to remain “peaceful, orderly, and respectful of the law” and said it would continue to pursue the matter “through legitimate and constitutional means.” It reaffirmed its loyalty to both Governor Ododo and President Tinubu.
Members of the forum, including a a former lawmaker, Barr. Alfred Bello; Zonal APC Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Ayo and State Youth Leader of the Party, Buhari Lokoja, said any attempt to substitute Hon. Sam Aro’s name will be resisted.
