Kogi West APC Primary: Stakeholders Allege Forgery, Demand Probe and Reaffirmation of Karimi’s Victory
By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
Stakeholders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West Senatorial District have alleged the circulation of a forged result purportedly linked to the party’s senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026.
Addressing journalists in Lokoja, the group claimed that the alleged forged document was designed to overturn the outcome of the primary election in which Senator Sunday Karimi emerged victorious. They called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to reaffirm the authentic result, launch a thorough investigation into the alleged forgery, and sanction anyone found culpable.
Speaking on behalf of the group, a spokesperson said the matter went beyond ordinary political disagreement, stressing that it raised serious concerns about internal democracy and the credibility of party processes.
“We have invited you here today not merely to react to rumours or political propaganda, but to place before the public certain disturbing facts that strike at the very heart of internal democracy and party integrity,” the spokesperson stated.
The stakeholders maintained that the Kogi West senatorial primary was properly conducted and transparently supervised in accordance with party guidelines, resulting in the emergence of Senator Karimi as the duly elected candidate.
They further noted that all aspirants had initially embraced reconciliation and party unity before the alleged forged result surfaced.
According to the group, internal consultations and verification efforts suggested that the alleged forgery “appears to have emanated from certain powerful internal elements within the APC structure in Kogi State.”
Though no names were mentioned, the stakeholders described the development as “shocking and painful.”
“This is not merely about Senator Karimi. This is about whether democratic processes within our party should still have meaning,” the group said. “If this dangerous culture is tolerated, then no primary election in our party will ever again command credibility.”
The group outlined four key demands, including the immediate public reaffirmation of the authentic primary result, a comprehensive investigation into the alleged forgery, disciplinary action against anyone found responsible, and stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of future party primaries.
The stakeholders emphasized that their position should not be interpreted as an attack on the Kogi State Government or the APC leadership, reaffirming their loyalty to the ruling party and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We remain loyal members of the APC. However, loyalty to party does not require silence in the face of injustice,” the group declared, while urging supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kogi State chapter of the APC nor the party’s national secretariat had issued an official response to the allegations.
The controversy comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Kogi West emerging as one of the key political battlegrounds in the state.
