Kogi West Primary: APC Chieftain Cdre Daniel Petitions National Chairman Over Alleged Result Manipulation
By Stephen Adeleye
Lokoja, May 28, 2026
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A chieftain and foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West Senatorial District, Commodore Michael Folusho Daniel (Rtd.), has petitioned the APC National Chairman, urging urgent intervention over what he described as a brewing crisis following the district’s senatorial primary election held on May 18, 2026.
Cdre Daniel made the call in an open letter addressed to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, dated May 28, 2026, and made available to journalists on Thursday in Lokoja.
The APC chieftain said the process, which began peacefully and transparently across the district, had degenerated into tension, division, and accusations after a conflicting result emerged days later.
He called on the party leadership to constitute an independent fact-finding committee to establish the true outcome and restore confidence in the APC.
The chieftain recalled that six or seven aspirants initially contested for the Kogi West senatorial ticket.
However, about two days before the primary, reports emerged that several aspirants, including Senator Smart Adeyemi and Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro, had stepped down in support of Senator Sunday Karimi.
The development, he said, raised hopes for a rancour-free exercise.
According to Daniel, the primary in his Ward 06, Mopamuro Local Government Area, was peaceful, orderly, and dominated by a single queue in support of Senator Karimi.
He stated that similar reports came from other wards across Kogi West, with preliminary results indicating a landslide victory for Karimi.
“Shockingly, however, a few days later, an entirely different result surfaced in the media space declaring Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro as the winner of the primary election,” Daniel wrote.
He said the announcement was “unbelievable, strange, and completely inconsistent with the realities witnessed during the exercise.”
The retired naval officer warned that the controversial outcome had escalated tensions across the district, polarizing supporters and undermining reconciliation efforts that had begun after the primary.
He said many party members perceive the result as fraudulent and manipulated.
Daniel appealed to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, to urgently intervene, stressing that only a credible investigation could establish the truth, preserve party unity, and prevent a deeper crisis that could weaken the APC in Kogi West ahead of future elections.
The APC stalwart insisted that Senator Sunday Karimi remains the rightful winner based on what party members witnessed on the ground.
“Your prompt intervention at this critical moment will not only preserve the integrity and credibility of the APC, but will also reassure Party faithful that justice, fairness, and transparency remain the guiding principles of our great Party,” he stated.
He added that the party members, the opposition, the electorate, and even the international community were watching, describing the moment as a test of the APC’s commitment to justice, equity, and internal democracy.
“Sir, your service record and leadership have been exemplary and inspiring. Many Nigerians believe your emergence as APC National Chairman came at a critical time for the nation.
“Your experience as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has prepared you well to manage conflicts and sustain unity in a large, diverse party like the APC. I pray God grants you continued wisdom in leading the Party,” he said.
Daniel concluded that there can be no lasting peace, unity, or progress where injustice is perceived to have been enthroned, and thanked the National Chairman for anticipated action.
End
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MAY 28TH 2026)
