By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
A fresh legal battle has thrown the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kogi West Senatorial ticket into renewed controversy, following a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lokoja Division, by Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro against the APC, Senator Sunday Steve Karimi and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In the originating summons, Aro is asking the court to determine whether the APC complied with its constitution, electoral guidelines and the Electoral Act in the nomination of its candidate for the 2027 Kogi West Senatorial election.
He is also challenging the party’s submission of Senator Karimi’s name to INEC as its candidate.
The plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the APC primary election conducted on May 18, 2026 validly produced him as the party’s candidate, arguing that the subsequent submission of another candidate’s name to INEC on July 11, 2026 was unlawful, null and void. Aro further contends that since he has not withdrawn his candidacy, the APC remains bound to recognise him as its lawful nominee.
Among the reliefs sought is an order directing INEC to accept and recognise his name as the APC candidate for the Kogi West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.
The court action marks the latest twist in the prolonged dispute over the APC senatorial ticket in Kogi West, a contest that has continued to generate political interest within the party since the primary election.
Senator Sunday Steve Karimi had earlier been officially declared winner of the May 18, 2026 APC primary.
The Returning Officer, Isah Haruna, announced that Karimi secured 51,665 votes to emerge as the party’s candidate.
Reports at the time also indicated that Aro and some other aspirants had withdrawn from the race before the exercise.
The primary election followed the endorsement of Senator Karimi as the APC’s consensus candidate by party stakeholders in Kogi West, with the backing of Governor Usman Ododo.
Following allegations surrounding the authenticity of the primary election results, the APC National Working Committee (NWC), acting on the recommendations of the Election Appeal Committee, upheld Karimi as the duly returned candidate and subsequently forwarded his name to INEC for nomination.
The committee reportedly reviewed more than 700 petitions nationwide, leading to changes in outcomes across nine states.
Aro’s decision to seek judicial intervention has, however, drawn mixed reactions within APC circles in Kogi West.
While acknowledging his constitutional right to seek legal redress, some party stakeholders and political observers argue that the suit risks reopening divisions within the party at a time when preparations for the 2027 general election are expected to gather momentum.
A senior APC chieftain, who spoke anonymously, described the legal challenge as an unnecessary prolonging of internal disputes, warning that continued litigation could undermine party unity and distract from broader electoral preparations.
Despite the criticism, the case has once again placed the Kogi West APC senatorial ticket at the centre of political discourse, with the court’s eventual decision expected to have significant implications for the party’s internal dynamics and its electoral strategy ahead of the 2027 general election.
Political observers are now awaiting the commencement of court proceedings as all parties prepare to present their arguments before the Federal High Court.
