By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Fresh cracks have reportedly emerged within the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with allegations that loyalists of Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Senator Sunday Steve Karimi and Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho have been
excluded from recent political appointments.
Sources within the party, who requested anonymity, alleged that supporters of the three political leaders were largely overlooked in the appointments of Special Advisers (SAs), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and other political office holders, fueling speculation of an internal power struggle ahead of the 2027 general election.
Although the Kogi State Government has yet to officially respond to the claims, the alleged exclusion has generated widespread discussion among party members and political observers, with many describing it as a sign of deepening divisions within the ruling party.
The reported rift comes amid lingering disagreements between the state political structure and some federal lawmakers over the party’s future direction and the outcome of its internal nomination process.
While Senator Sunday Karimi’s candidacy for the Kogi West Senatorial District has reportedly been transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), uncertainty continues to surround the APC senatorial tickets for Kogi East and Kogi Central, with no officially published list confirming the party’s candidates in the two districts.
In Kogi West, party stakeholders are said to be working behind the scenes to reconcile aggrieved members and preserve unity.
However, the political atmosphere in Kogi East remains divided, as supporters of Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho continue to campaign for his return to the Senate based on his legislative experience, while supporters of Chief Joseph Ameh Erico remain confident he will eventually secure the party’s ticket.
Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke also continues to command significant political influence in Kogi, particularly in Kogi West, where his supporters believe he remains a key figure capable of shaping the APC’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 elections.
As consultations and political realignments intensify, stakeholders across the various camps are expected to continue negotiations aimed at preventing the reported disagreements from escalating into a broader crisis within the party.
