Fresh Allegations Emerge Over Plot Against Tinubu’s Re-Election in Kogi

A political pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, the Kogi APC Renaissance Forum, has alleged a coordinated plot to destabilize the re-election campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Adejo Emmanuel, the forum claimed that some APC leaders in the state, including government appointees, are working against the party’s interests in favour of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).

According to the group, the alleged plot involves the imposition of weak candidates and the deliberate creation of internal divisions capable of undermining the party’s electoral strength in Kogi State.

Adejo specifically accused a Special Adviser to Governor Usman Ododo, Hon. Olabode Adeyemi, of orchestrating moves in Kabba, headquarters of Kogi West Senatorial District, to coerce party executives at various levels into signing a document opposing the re-election of Senator Sunday Steve Karimi while endorsing Hon. Sam Aro.

The forum alleged that the document is intended to mislead the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC into accepting Aro’s candidacy. It further claimed that Aro is politically aligned with businessman Tunde Ayeni, who has been linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the ADC.

The group also alleged that both Aro and Ayeni did not support Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election and have maintained ties with opposition elements, raising concerns about their loyalty ahead of the 2027 polls.

It warned that endorsing Aro as the APC candidate for Kogi West could weaken the party’s structure and potentially benefit the ADC in the presidential election.

The forum noted that Kogi West has historically been a stronghold of the APC, citing the district’s overwhelming support for President Tinubu in the 2023 election. It also described Senator Karimi as a popular grassroots politician who has remained aligned with the President.

Raising further concerns, the group pointed to questions surrounding Aro’s eligibility, referencing his company’s alleged involvement in the 2014 fuel subsidy fraud probe. According to the forum, the firm was indicted and later entered into a plea agreement with the Federal Government to refund funds linked to the case. It added that such arrangements do not necessarily amount to full exoneration.

The forum also linked the alleged developments to broader political tensions in the state, particularly between allies of former Governor Yahaya Bello and the Presidency, amid ongoing corruption charges against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It further criticized Governor Ododo’s leadership style, alleging that since assuming office, he has failed to convene inclusive stakeholders’ meetings involving National Assembly members from the state. The group claimed that party structures at ward, local government, and state levels were recently constituted by a narrow group of appointees, sidelining key party stakeholders.

The forum accused the governor of fostering division within the party rather than promoting unity and inclusive engagement.

Reaffirming its support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, the group vowed to resist any moves capable of undermining the President’s political base in Kogi State.

It called on President Tinubu, the Senate leadership, and the national leadership of the APC to intervene and ensure that the alleged actions do not jeopardize the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.

The forum also urged the APC leadership to caution Governor Ododo and resist any attempt to impose candidates, warning that such actions could lead to internal crisis and weaken the party’s position in the state.