Fresh controversy has emerged following the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election in Kogi West, amid allegations of attempts to alter the officially declared result that produced Senator Sunday Karimi as winner.
Karimi was declared winner of the primary by the APC Kogi West Senatorial District Returning Officer, Haruna Isah, after polling 51,665 votes to defeat four other aspirants in the contest.
The returning officer subsequently submitted the certified result to the Chairman of the APC Kogi State Senatorial Primary Election Committee.
According to the officially announced 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 outcome reportedly reflected overwhelming support for Karimi across the seven local government areas that make up the Kogi West Senatorial District.
However, party sources have alleged that certain individuals have been making moves behind the scenes to interfere with the certified outcome of the election.
The situation reportedly escalated after another set of figures allegedly surfaced, raising concerns among party faithful and stakeholders in the district.
Reacting to the development, stakeholders within the APC in Kogi West called on the national leadership of the party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and ensure that the officially declared result is protected.
They also urged the party leadership to investigate and sanction anyone found attempting to undermine the credibility of the primary process.
According to the stakeholders, preserving the integrity of the exercise is essential to sustaining confidence in the APC’s internal democratic system and maintaining unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
