Fresh controversy has emerged in Kogi West following allegations that a senatorial aspirant lost more than N15 billion in an unsuccessful attempt to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket through an alleged backdoor arrangement.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the aspirant had initially announced his withdrawal from the APC senatorial primary election and publicly shared his withdrawal letter on social media.
However, the letter was reportedly deleted shortly afterwards following assurances from a senior APC official that he would still emerge as the party’s candidate through an internal process.
The sources alleged that the aspirant, relying on the assurances, released over N500 million with the expectation that his name would eventually be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the APC candidate for Kogi West Senatorial District.
It was further claimed that the official continued to reassure the aspirant until Saturday that the arrangement would be successful and that his name would be uploaded to the INEC nomination portal.
The reported assurances prompted supporters of the aspirant to launch a social media campaign claiming that he had secured the APC ticket. However, neither the APC nor INEC made any official announcement confirming the claims.
Available information indicates that Senator Sunday Karimi, who emerged from the APC primary election, has had his nomination processed on the INEC portal as the party’s candidate for the Kogi West Senatorial District.
Following this development, the online campaign by supporters of the aspirant reportedly diminished as it became evident that the party’s officially nominated candidate had already been submitted.
The allegations have generated widespread discussion among political stakeholders in Kogi State, with some calling for a thorough investigation into the reported transaction and the circumstances surrounding it.
Sources also claimed that efforts to recover the allegedly paid funds have so far been unsuccessful, while consultations are said to be ongoing regarding possible legal and political steps.
The allegations remain unverified, and no official statement has been issued by the APC, INEC, or the individuals named in connection with the claims.
