By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Fresh controversy has emerged following the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kogi West Senatorial District primary election amid allegations of attempts to alter the officially declared results.
The primary election produced Sunday Karimi as the winner after polling 51,665 votes to clinch the APC senatorial ticket for Kogi West ahead of the 2027 general election.
The result was officially announced by the APC Kogi West Senatorial District Returning Officer, Haruna Isah, who stated that Senator Karimi defeated four other aspirants in the contest.
According to the official figures released at the end of the exercise, Samuel Aro scored 620 votes, while Smart Adeyemi polled 571 votes. Alhaji Abubakar Zakari Ola secured 414 votes, while Elizabeth Adedoyin recorded 18 votes.
The returning officer was also said to have submitted the certified results to the Chairman of the APC Kogi State Senatorial Primary Election Committee shortly after the announcement.
Party stakeholders described the outcome as a reflection of the widespread support enjoyed by Senator Karimi across the seven local government areas of Kogi West Senatorial District.
However, party sources alleged that some individuals have since been making moves to tamper with the certified result, claiming that another set of figures was allegedly being introduced after the official declaration.
The allegation has sparked concern among APC members and supporters in the district, with stakeholders warning against any attempt to undermine the integrity of the primary election process.
Some party leaders and supporters have called on the APC national leadership and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the officially declared result is upheld.
They stressed that protecting the integrity of the primary election was crucial to maintaining confidence in the APC’s internal democratic process ahead of the next general election.
