Kogiflame
A wave of salary suspensions has sparked accusations of “retaliation” in Kogi State, with civil servants and political appointees allegedly close to Sen. Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) reporting that their November 2025 salaries were withheld.
Investigations by our correspondents across the state indicate that, after the payroll for November was processed, names of people identified as loyal to the Senator were omitted.
Affected staff say they were told the stoppage stems from their affiliation with Sen. Karimi. Victims, including Sunday Dayopeda and Yemisi Jason, condemned the move as “callous victimisation,” noting that after 16 years of power from the old Kwara State, the West now demands rotation of the governorship seat.
Dayopeda said, “It’s wicked to punish us for holding a different political view,” while Jason added, “Democracy means different choices, stopping salaries for dissent is unacceptable.”
The workers recalled that since the state’s creation, such punitive measures have been rare, urging the present administration to tread carefully. They also referenced Sen. Karimi’s recent Kabba Day speech urging power shift to Kogi West.
The Kogi State government has yet to issue an official statement linking the salary halt to the Senator or political loyalty.
