In a demonstration of strength and the groundswell of support enjoyed by President Bola Tinubu and the Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi within the locality, hundreds of All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful across Yagba West Local Government Area on Wednesday attended the inauguration of PBAT/DSSK Movement.
The event, which drew 20 canvassers from each of the 14 electoral wards among several sympathisers was held at the Temy Hall, Egbe, the commercial nerve of the LGA.
Amid the chanted slogan of “APC! Tinubu/Karim!!”, various speakers at the event attested to Senator Karimi’s 5-star performance and stoilid response to the needs of constituents. They were in agreement that the gathering was a reflection of the love they have for the lawmaker and President Tinubu, echoing that they are resolute in their conviction that “Tinubu and Karimi will come back”.
A chieftain of APC who is the Agbana of Opada—Egbe, Chief Christopher Sunday Aremu, described the turnout as unprecedented in the run-up to the upcoming APC primaries. He was upbeat that the strength on display could not be matched by any assembly of supporters like any other aspirants in the area. Noting that the gathering signals that Yagba West is solid for Tinubu and Karimi, Chief Aremu however indicated that the pockets of party members who remain on the fence “are but a few who are only protecting their salaries”.
He said the demonstration of love for Karimi was earned through the latter’s performance in the past three years in the 10th Senate coupled with undeniable love for his people, noting that in the history of Kogi West, no Senator had done better.
“We are here today for the inauguration of PBAT/DSSK Movement. Yagba West people are gathered here today to openly identify with President Bola Tinubu and Senator Karimi and we endorse both of them for second term. From here, we will return to our various wards to start mobilizing for Tinubu and Karimi”, he said.
On her part, the immediate past Vice-Chairman, Yagba West Local Council, Mrs Eunice Balogun eulogized Senator Karimi for his unwavering commitment to the deployment of Yagba West in particular. He listed the annual bursary for indigent students in the tertiary institutions, including colleges of education and nursing schools; building of an ultramodern CBT Training Centre which has relieved JAMB candidates of the stress of travelling far distances to write examinations; the military Forward Operating Base, among others as Karimi’s imprints that could not be wished away by Yagba West people and called for maximum support to ensure he is reelected in 2027.
For Hon Olusegun Abiodun, erstwhile Councillor and leader of the delegates from Okunran/Okoloke/Isanlu‐Esa ward, Senator Karimi has played a pivotal role in stemming the tide of insecurity in the local government especially in his Okunran/Okoloke/Isanlu‐Esa ward, ravaged by kindapping and banditry.
He praised Karimi for his efforts leading to the rescue of the Obalohun of Okoloke, a second class monarch after he was abducted by kidnappers in May 2025. Karimi, he noted is also instrumental to the deployment of the first set of soldiers to the troubled axis. The speaker credited Karimi for connecting Okoloke to the national grid during his tenure as a member of House of Representatives.
Another speaker, Francis Ogungbemi said: “We thank God we did not make the wrong choice in Senator Karimi. Politics is a learning process. Karimi has shown that he has truly learned the rope and has passed excellently, tested and trusted to deserve a second term. You don’t change a winning horse. During his first term election to the House of Representatives, Karimi won 30 out of 34 electoral wards in Yagba Federal Constituency. Meaning that his main opponent then who was the sitting member of the House of Reps was roundly rejected. Let’s not be deceived. We know where things are heading to. Even if they decided to exclude many of you active party members from the executive posts, the reality today is we are all excos. So, let’s go there”.
Addresing reporters on the sidelines, Coordinator of PBAT/DSSK Movement, Pastor Adekunle David enthused that the gathering came out successful. He expressed satisfaction with the turn-out despite the prevailing insecurity in the region.
“The purpose of today’s gathering is to inaugurate canvassers for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Distinguished Senator Sunday Steve Karimi by a group known as PBAT/DSSK Movement. For *a start), this group is in Yagba West, we want to use this template (to replicate) the movement across Kogi West. Today we have participants from across all the 14 wards in Yagba West. I’m satisfied with the outcome of today’s gathering because we have people coming from from Okoloke, Isanlu-Esa, Ogbe, Ejiba etc despite the prevailing insecurity in our area. Today’s gathering has many sides to it but the main highlight is that we have unanimously endorsed our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Sunday Steve Karimi for second term to continue their good work “.
The endorsement of President Tinubu and Senator Karimi for second term was preceded by a voice vote, which was vocally and unanimously responded to by the congress of PBAT/DSSK Movement in the affirmative.
