By joshua KABBA-BUNU CHAIRMAN URGES SEN. KARIMI TO EMBRACE RECONCILIATION FOR APC UNITY IN KOGI WEST
By Abu Micheal
The Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, has urged the Senator representing Kogi West, Sen. Sunday Karimi, to demonstrate genuine commitment to reconciliation in order to resolve the crisis surrounding the APC senatorial ticket for Kogi West.
Barr. Dare, who spoke on behalf of the seven Council Chairmen of Kogi West during a meeting at the Reverton Hotel in Lokoja on Sunday, said dialogue with critical stakeholders was necessary to settle all issues and restore unity in the party.
He stressed that reconciliation must begin with respect for the office of the Governor.
“It is possible for the Senator to work with his Governor,” Barr. Dare said. “The office of the Governor deserves full respect. You cannot be seeking a second term for yourself and at the same time undermine the Governor’s second term ambition. That contradiction is fueling the crisis we are witnessing.”
The Chairman also advised Sen. Karimi to reflect party unity in his campaign materials by including Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Stop running posters with only your picture and that of Mr. President without the Governor. Including the Governor will send a clear signal to your supporters that we are united in purpose, instead of the daily attacks on the Governor. Let the people see that you are back to work for the good of the APC in Kogi State,” he said.
Barr. Dare further called on the Senator to reconcile with Hon. Sam Aro and Hon. Elder Leke Abejide, and to publicly declare support for the second term aspiration of Gov. Ododo as a practical step toward ending the rift in Kogi West.
He maintained that featuring the Governor’s picture in campaign materials, in addition to that of the President, would help douse tension and assure supporters of the Senator’s direction.
The Council Chairman warned against statements suggesting that the Senator would not support Gov. Ododo’s re-election bid, noting that such positions would only deepen divisions until they are corrected.
Describing the Governor’s second term ambition as “non-negotiable,” Barr. Dare said Gov. Ododo’s investments in infrastructure and human capital development in Kogi West have created an enabling environment that made the Senator’s election easier, and now require reciprocal support.
He recalled that during the build-up to the 2023 governorship election, the Okun Development Union and other stakeholders from Kogi West met with President Tinubu to seek support for a candidate from the zone.
“The President advised us clearly that because Kogi West is in the minority in the state, we must align, negotiate, and support Gov. Ododo. He told us our path to producing the Governor in 2031 depends on that strategic alliance. Any move against it will fail and set us back,” Barr. Dare explained.
He added that the Governor’s achievements in the West are sufficient to guarantee the Senator’s seamless re-election, and lamented that some individuals were working to undermine the bridge-building efforts aimed at producing a governor from Kogi West in 2031.
“Now that our efforts are beginning to yield results, we cannot afford distractions. The interest of Kogi West and the APC must come first,” he concluded.