Concerned stakeholders in seven local government areas of Kogi West Senatorial District have asked President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to intervene in the crisis arising from the party’s senatorial primary election in the district.
The group, in a statement issued yesterday and signed by its chairman, Alhaji Danasabe Muhammed, and secretary, Barr. Abdulateef Kareem, described the raging dispute between Senator Sunday Steve Karimi and Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro as a major source of concern for party leaders, stakeholders, supporters and voters across Kogi West.
The stakeholders warned that the crisis, if not properly managed, could weaken the APC’s chances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the group, the disagreement reportedly stemmed from claims that Senator Karimi was included among the preferred candidates on the alleged “Presidential Unity List,” said to have been championed by Hon. James Faleke.
The development, the group noted, generated resistance from several stakeholders within the district, particularly among supporters loyal to former Governor Yahaya Bello and the current Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, who allegedly viewed Senator Karimi as confrontational and insufficiently aligned with the state party structure.
“As a result, differing political interests within the party reportedly led to increased support for Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro shortly before the primary election,” the statement said.
The group further alleged that pressure from the Faleke political structure was mounted to ensure Senator Karimi emerged as the consensus candidate. This, it said, eventually led to conflicting declarations after the primary election, with both Karimi and Aro separately announced as winners.
According to the stakeholders, the resulting confusion has deepened political tension within the APC in Kogi West and created divisions among party loyalists across the district.
To address the crisis and restore unity within the party, the group called for the emergence of a neutral consensus candidate capable of uniting all factions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“In the interest of peace, unity, and the overall success of the APC in the 2027 general elections, it has become necessary for the party leadership to carefully consider the emergence of a neutral consensus candidate who can unite all aggrieved camps and restore harmony within the party and the district,” the group stated.
The stakeholders subsequently endorsed Dr. Ibrahim Tajudeen Bisimillahi as the most suitable consensus candidate for the district.
They argued that Dr. Bisimillahi, who hails from Yagba East Local Government Area, represents a more balanced choice, considering that Yagba East is yet to produce a senator for Kogi West.
The group explained that while the Lokoja/Koton-Karfe and Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu federal constituencies had produced several senators over the years, including Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Senator Smart Adeyemi, and Senator Dino Melaye, the current zoning consideration naturally favours the Yagba axis.
However, it observed that both Senator Karimi and Hon. Aro are from Yagba West Local Government Area, while Yagba East has never produced a senator despite being a significant part of the Yagba federal constituency.
According to the stakeholders, Dr. Bisimillahi’s emergence would promote equity, fairness, and political inclusion.
They also described him as a loyal APC member who remained committed to the party despite previous electoral setbacks.
“Despite contesting for the same senatorial seat several years ago without securing the ticket, Dr. Tajudeen remained loyal to the APC and continued working tirelessly for the success of the party during both presidential and governorship elections,” the statement added.
The group further noted that Dr. Bisimillahi enjoys cordial relationships with both the Faleke political structure and the Yahaya Bello/Ododo camp, making him acceptable to all factions within the party.
It also highlighted his grassroots political structure across the seven local government areas of Kogi West, as well as his humanitarian and empowerment programmes, which it said have earned him widespread support across party lines.
“At this critical moment in the political history of Kogi West, the APC must prioritise unity, peace, fairness, and electoral success above individual interests,” the group stated.
The stakeholders maintained that Dr. Bisimillahi’s candidacy would provide a common ground for all political interests within the APC and strengthen the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.
“For the sake of peace, fairness, and victory, Dr. Ibrahim Tajudeen Bisimillahi should be seriously considered as the consensus candidate for Kogi West Senatorial District,” the statement said.
