POWER PLAY OVER KOGI WEST APC TICKET DEEPENS AS STAKEHOLDERS BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY
By Our Correspondent
The battle for the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket in Kogi West has assumed a new dimension as powerful political interests continue to mount pressure and counter-pressure on the party leadership over who should ultimately emerge as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
At the centre of the controversy are incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi, who was declared winner of the party’s primary election, and fellow aspirant Samuel Aro, whose supporters are said to be pushing for his recognition as the APC flagbearer.
Sources within the party disclosed that shortly after the primary election, a highly influential political figure from outside Kogi State allegedly intervened in favour of Aro and subsequently secured an audience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the sources, the individual made a strong case for Aro’s candidacy and urged that he be recognised as the APC candidate despite the outcome of the primary election.
The development, party insiders claimed, triggered consultations at the highest levels of the ruling party, leading to fresh uncertainty over the fate of the Kogi West ticket.
However, supporters of Senator Karimi have not relented. They are said to be mobilising party stakeholders and influential leaders across Kogi West and beyond to ensure that the result of the primary election is respected and upheld by the party leadership.
The ensuing struggle has created a tense political atmosphere within the APC, with both camps expressing confidence that they will ultimately secure the party’s endorsement.
Sources familiar with developments said even Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, appears unwilling to make a definitive pronouncement on the matter.
According to the sources, a close aide who sought the governor’s opinion on who would eventually emerge as the party’s candidate reportedly did not receive a clear answer, an indication that the issue remains unresolved despite intense lobbying from both sides.
“The governor himself appears to appreciate the sensitivity of the matter. The impression is that the issue is still open and subject to ongoing consultations at different levels,” a party source said.
Another APC insider described the situation as a contest between the outcome of the primary election and the influence of powerful political interests seeking to shape the party’s final decision.
“What is happening now is beyond the primary itself. There are forces pushing from different directions. The matter has become a major test of the party’s internal decision-making process,” the source added.
Political observers believe the outcome of the dispute could have far-reaching implications for party unity in Kogi West and may influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
While supporters of Karimi insist that the sanctity of the primary election must be preserved, those backing Aro are understood to be relying on ongoing engagements with key decision-makers within the party hierarchy.
As the battle intensifies, uncertainty continues to surround the APC ticket, with party faithful, political stakeholders and observers anxiously awaiting the final decision of the party leadership.
For now, one thing appears certain: despite the conduct of the primary election, the contest for the Kogi West APC senatorial ticket is far from over.
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(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JUNE 18TH 2026)
