‘Self-Appointed Stakeholders Can’t Decide Kogi West’s Future’ — Karimi Group

The Karimi 2.0 Group has rejected the communiqué issued after the recent Kogi West APC Stakeholders’ Strategic Alignment Meeting in Lokoja, describing the gathering as an assembly of “self-appointed political actors” seeking to undermine internal democracy and impose candidates on the people of the senatorial district.

In a statement released on Monday, the group said the outcome of the meeting reflected what it termed the desperation of individuals unsettled by the rising popularity and grassroots support of Senator Sunday Steve Karimi ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the group, no informal gathering of stakeholders possesses either the constitutional backing or moral authority to determine the political direction of Kogi West or override the collective will of party members and voters.

“The people of Kogi West cannot be dictated to by a handful of power brokers operating under the guise of stakeholders,” the statement said.

The group further said that the meeting, reportedly held at the residence of a senior government official, was marked by acts of intimidation and veiled threats against perceived political opponents.

“Democracy is anchored on participation, consultation, and the free choice of the people, not coercion or orchestrated endorsements,” the statement added.

Reaffirming its position, the Karimi 2.0 Group maintained that the All Progressives Congress (APC) operates within established constitutional procedures, insisting that no arrangement outside the party’s recognised processes can replace the will of its members.

The group defended Senator Karimi’s political standing in Kogi West, attributing his growing acceptance to what it described as impactful representation, including constituency projects, empowerment initiatives, educational support programmes, and sustained grassroots engagement across the seven local government areas.

It added that such support could not be diminished by “contrived communiqués or political alliances aimed at reshaping public perception.”

The group also accused the promoters of the communiqué of attempting to sidestep internal democracy through what it described as “a calculated effort to intimidate aspirants and influence the political landscape ahead of the elections.”

It stressed that the decision on who represents Kogi West in the Senate ultimately rests with the electorate, noting that political mandates cannot be determined through closed-door arrangements.

While calling on its supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, the group expressed confidence that the democratic process would prevail.

“We urge our supporters to remain peaceful and focused. Ultimately, the people will decide, and their voices will be heard,” the statement concluded.