THE AUDACITY OF IMPOSITION: WHY KOGI WEST, OKUNLAND MUST CONTINUE TO RESIST THE HIJACK OF THEIR DEMOCRATIC MANDATE
By Chief Aiyenale Fred, Abuja Nigeria
The political landscape of Kogi West Senatorial District is currently witnessing a defining ideological battle. It is a contest between the sovereign will of the people and the desperate, backroom maneuvering of external forces intent on subverting democracy.
At the center of this gathering storm is a clear and unequivocal declaration from the electorate: Enough is enough. The era of treating Kogi West, particularly the politically sophisticated people of Okunland, as a playground for administrative imposition and manufactured mandates is now officially over.
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THE UNDENIABLE REALITY OF THE PRIMARIES
To understand the current volatility, one must look at the facts established during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kogi West senatorial primary election.
The exercise was not conducted in secrecy; it was a highly publicized, recorded, and heavily witnessed event documented across online, print, and video media platforms.
The process boasted full legitimacy, characterized by key democratic pillars:
*OFFICIAL SUPERVISION: Serving political appointees of the Kogi State government and established local leaders served directly as returning officers.
*TRANSPARENT COLLATION: Votes were counted publicly at ward and local government collation centers with the physical presence of INEC officias, establishing an undeniable paper trail.
*A RESOUNDING MANDATE: In full view of party faithful and security agencies and INEC officials, Senator Sunday Karimi overwhelmingly scored the highest number of votes.
The process culminated at the senatorial headquarters, where votes were transparently recounted and recorded. Senator Karimi won an absolute majority, was publicly declared the winner, and was formally returned as the APC senatorial candidate for the 2027 election and the election results was signed and countersigned by officials.
THE GHOST OF “LOCUS STANDI” AND EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE
Despite this clear-cut democratic outcome, a disturbing narrative has emerged.
Certain external political actors and desperate godfathers are allegedly attempting to resurrect the ambitions of a former aspirant; an individual who, by all legal and political metrics, no longer possesses any locus standi (legal standing) in this contest having stepped down from the race with a public statement released and published on his social media handles, print media and online platforms.
The attempt to forge results or alter the outcomes of an election that has already been won and settled is not merely a political offense; it is a criminal assault on the people of Kogi west and indeed Okun people, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that of our great party.
A MESSAGE TO THE EXTERNAL SPONSORS: You can no longer fool the people of Kogi West, particularly the Okun people.
The assumption that the political direction of the Okun people can continue to be dictated by remote control from outside the district is a dangerous miscalculation and no longer feasible.
THE RISE OF THE KOGI WEST ELECTORATE
The most significant variable that these external forces have failed to factor in is the massive turnout and uprising of the Kogi West people.
Today’s political reality is entirely different from the eras of unchallenged political imposition.
Kogi west and indeed Okun people have chosen to stand firmly with Senator Sunday Karimi on this contest, not merely out of sentiment, but out of a desire to protect the integrity of their recruitment process for leadership.
The spontaneous resistance spreading across the district should serve as a stark warning signal to external meddlers: STOP INTERFERING. We are now more wiser and more sophisticated.
CONCLUSION: DRAWING THE LINE IN THE SAND
The democratic process is sacred. When a people gather, cast their ballots, and overwhelmingly elect a representative, any attempt to rewrite that history through forgery or political bullying is an invitation to total political divorce, disloyalty and anarchy.
The people, leaders and stakeholders of Kogi West and indeed Okun people have drawn a line in the sand. The mandate given to Senator Sunday Karimi was earned in the light of day, certified by the party’s own apparatus, and celebrated by the electorate.
The external sponsors and internal collaborators attempting to manufacture a parallel reality must back down now.
The political destiny of Kogi West belongs exclusively to the people of Kogi West.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MAY 26TH 2026)
