Stakeholders from the Kogi East Senatorial District have criticised the lawmaker representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi, over his alleged plan to unseat Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in the 2027 governorship election.
Operating under the aegis of the “Kogi East Elite Forum”, the stakeholders said Senator Karimi had, during the 2025 Kabba Day celebration, openly declared his intention—alongside purported allies from the Eastern Senatorial District—to wrest power from Governor Ododo and shift the governorship to Kogi West in 2027.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, the group’s leader, Dr. Abubakar Rajab , cautioned the senator against what he described as “frequent unguarded utterances.”
Rajab, in the text of the briefing made available to Journalists dismissed Karimi’s claims as “a mere figment of his imagination,” insisting that Kogi State is firmly united behind Governor Ododo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.
“The Kogi East Elite Forum noted with dismay the senator’s repeated reckless statements in recent times,” he said. “One such utterance was during the 2025 Kabba Day celebration, where he stated his plan to unseat Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, in collaboration with his self-proclaimed allies from Kogi East, in order to move the governorship to Kogi West in 2027.”
He added that, as a federal lawmaker, Senator Karimi ought to be more circumspect and avoid actions capable of heating up the polity.
“The people of Kogi East are not dullards. We know what is best for us and for Kogi State as a whole,” Yakubu stated.
He highlighted what he described as Governor Ododo’s achievements, including efforts to establish industrial parks and free trade zones, the completion of designs for the state’s airport project, and the ongoing construction of an international market in Lokoja to boost commerce and create jobs.
According to him, the governor’s free education policy, revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, scholarships for tertiary students, and infrastructural development across roads, water supply, and schools are clear evidence of his “competence and visionary leadership.” He also commended Ododo’s “unmatched commitment to securing the state.”
“Above all, our governor has successfully strengthened unity and peace across the three senatorial districts. These achievements speak for themselves,” he stressed.
Rajab noted that the Kogi East Elite Forum remains firmly committed to supporting Governor Ododo to complete his constitutionally guaranteed two terms.
“As progressive intelligentsia, we stand immovably behind Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. It would be politically suicidal to abandon a leader with such clarity of vision for any ill-fated alliance driven by selfish ambition,” he said.
He urged Senator Karimi to desist from “creating unnecessary tension” and advised President Tinubu, the APC leadership, and the general public to ignore what he termed reckless propaganda.
“Governor Ododo continues to enjoy broad, cross-ethnic goodwill. We remain committed to delivering overwhelming support for him and for President Tinubu in the forthcoming elections,” Rajab concluded.
