Tension Rocks Kogi West as Residents Protest Alleged Plot Against Senator Karimi’s APC Victory

By Queen Madaki

LOKOJA, Nigeria — Tension is rising across the seven local government areas of Kogi West Senatorial District following protests over alleged attempts to overturn the victory of Senator Sunday Steve Karimi in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election, The Bureau Journal reports.

Residents and party supporters have accused unnamed political actors of circulating what they described as forged election results in a bid to discredit the officially declared outcome of the May 18 APC senatorial primary.

Alleged Forged Results Trigger Fresh Outrage

According to sources within the district, rumours of plans to replace Senator Karimi with one of the defeated aspirants have sparked widespread anger among APC supporters across Kogi West.

The controversy intensified after reports emerged that another set of election results, allegedly forged, had begun circulating within political circles in the state.

A resident of Egbe, Abdulganiyu Kolade, described the development as shocking and unacceptable.

“We just discovered another plot targeting our distinguished Senator Karimi. This time around, they have produced forged results, attempting to replace the authentic results from the zone,” he said.

Kolade further alleged that some of the politicians linked to the controversy had earlier withdrawn from the race and publicly declared support for Senator Karimi before the primary election.

Residents Threaten Protest to Police Command

Another resident, Samson Oladele from Iyara in Ijumu Local Government Area, said protesters were preparing to march to the Kogi State Police Command in Lokoja to demand a full investigation into the alleged forged results.

“We are not just protesting; we are marching to the Police Command in Lokoja to ask the Commissioner of Police to investigate these forged results,” Oladele stated.

He warned that residents would resist any attempt to alter the outcome of the primary election.

Karimi Officially Declared Winner

The APC senatorial primary election for Kogi West was held on May 18 across the seven local government areas of the district.

Official results released by the Returning Officer for the exercise, Haruna Isah, showed that Senator Sunday Karimi emerged winner with a commanding lead.

According to the declared figures:

• Senator Sunday Karimi Steve — 51,665 votes
• Samuel Aro — 620 votes
• Smart Adeyemi — 571 votes
• Alhaji Abubakar Zakari Ola — 414 votes
• Elizabeth Adedoyin — 18 votes

The Returning Officer reportedly submitted the certified result to the APC Kogi West Senatorial District Primary Election Committee.

Stakeholders Demand APC Intervention

Political stakeholders and supporters of Senator Karimi are now calling on the national leadership of the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and protect the integrity of the primary process.

Evangelist Ekundayo Ojo said any attempt to replace the officially declared result would undermine internal democracy within the party.

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“This margin reflects the unequivocal will of delegates across all seven LGAs in Kogi West. Any attempt to introduce another result after the declaration is an affront to the party’s democratic process,” he said.

He further urged party leaders to sanction anyone found responsible for circulating alleged fake results.

Fresh Political Anxiety in Kogi West

The latest controversy has added to growing political tension within Kogi West, where concerns have repeatedly surfaced over alleged attempts to frustrate Senator Karimi’s second-term ambition.

Political observers say the dispute could deepen divisions within the APC in the district if not urgently addressed by party leaders.