By Yekini Jimoh
In the tense days leading to the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in Kogi State, Senator Sunday Karimi moved swiftly behind the scenes to rebuild political bridges with former Governor Yahaya Bello and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, a development that eventually strengthened his emergence as the consensus candidate for Kogi West.
The reconciliation effort came amid growing political anxiety within the APC over possible divisions ahead of the 2027 elections. Party stakeholders feared that unresolved misunderstandings among key leaders could weaken the party’s dominance in Kogi State.
Political observers noted that Senator Karimi, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, had in recent months maintained strategic consultations with influential figures within the party, including former Governor Yahaya Bello and Governor Ododo, in a bid to preserve unity and avoid a repeat of past internal crises.
Sources within the APC disclosed that the senator’s reconciliation moves intensified shortly before the party’s National Assembly primary. Several meetings were reportedly held in Lokoja and Abuja, where party elders and stakeholders appealed for cohesion among the camps loyal to Bello, Ododo, and Karimi.
The political rapprochement became more visible when Senator Karimi met Governor Ododo in Lokoja during a strategic APC stakeholders’ engagement focused on strengthening party unity ahead of 2027. Both leaders reportedly emphasized reconciliation, grassroots mobilization, and internal harmony as essential to sustaining APC’s control in the state.
Insiders said the meeting also helped calm tensions arising from political alignments in Kogi West, where several aspirants had shown interest in the APC senatorial ticket.
The reconciliation effort gained further momentum after former Governor Yahaya Bello reaffirmed his commitment to party unity and the consolidation of APC structures across Kogi State. Bello had repeatedly emphasized the need for APC stakeholders to close ranks in preparation for future elections.
Party insiders believe Karimi’s decision to maintain open communication with Bello played a major role in easing earlier political disagreements between both camps. The senator was previously known to enjoy Bello’s support during the 2023 senatorial contest that saw him defeat former Senator Smart Adeyemi for the APC ticket.
The outcome of the reconciliation efforts became evident during the APC stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Governor Ododo at the Government House in Lokoja, where Senator Karimi emerged as the consensus aspirant for Kogi West ahead of the primary election.
Although other aspirants, former Senator Smart Adeyemi and Aro Samuel Bamidele, steep down from the primary after they were cleared by the APC screening committee to participate in the primary, party leaders reportedly resolved to rally behind Karimi in order to avoid internal rancour and preserve party unity.
Analysts say the successful reconciliation among Karimi, Bello, and Governor Ododo has further consolidated APC’s political structure in Kogi State and may shape the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
