Leave Traditional Rulers Out of Partisan Politics, APC Group Tells Ododo

Critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the seven local government areas of Kogi West have advised the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to immediately desist from politicising traditional institutions in Kogi West.

The stakeholders, under the umbrella of the Kogi West APC Leaders Forum (KWALF), made this known in a press statement issued in Lokoja by the Forum’s Coordinator, Hon. Orebiyi Mathew.

According to the group, the forceful involvement or coercion of traditional rulers for partisan political purposes could fracture communities, trigger communal unrest, and worsen political tensions across Kogi West Senatorial District.

The forum said it is aware of a scheduled meeting allegedly convened at the instance of Governor Ododo on June 26, 2026, aimed at influencing traditional rulers from Kogi West to make what it described as malicious and misleading statements against the APC candidate for the 2027 Kogi West Senatorial Election, Sen. Sunday Steve Karimi.

It alleged that the move was intended to mislead President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, and the general public.

The forum stressed that traditional rulers were never meant to function as political actors, noting that they remain custodians of culture, symbols of unity, and respected father figures expected to maintain neutrality in their domains.

It stated that the involvement of traditional rulers in partisan politics, under any guise, is not only an aberration but also a desecration of the traditional institution in Kogi West.

The group further urged Governor Ododo not to politicise the communal misunderstandings that previously existed among traditional chiefs in Yagba West, insisting that Sen. Karimi had no involvement in the disputes, including allegations that he played a role in the detention of traditional rulers.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to state clearly that Senator Sunday Steve Karimi maintains a cordial and productive relationship with the traditional institution in Yagba West under the leadership of the Elegbe of Egbe, Oba Ayodele Irukera,” the statement noted.

It added that the traditional institution in the area has remained a pillar of community governance, conflict resolution, and grassroots social order.

The forum alleged that the persistent bias against Sen. Karimi by Governor Ododo, through the instrumentalisation of traditional institutions in Kogi West, is aimed at tarnishing the senator’s image before President Tinubu and the people of Kogi West, while also frustrating his re-election bid.

According to the group, attempts to portray Sen. Karimi as being in conflict with traditional rulers are false, mischievous, and politically motivated.

The forum maintained that the people of Kogi West remain firmly behind Sen. Karimi’s re-election bid, citing what it described as his outstanding performance in the Senate.

It highlighted the senator’s people-oriented projects, programmes, legislative initiatives, and bills, which it said have positively impacted lives across the district and earned him widespread grassroots support.

The group also appealed to traditional institutions in Kogi West not to allow themselves to be used as transactional tools in political contests, warning that such actions could erode public trust and compromise the sacred neutrality of the traditional institution.