…Describes him as a true leader with a large heart
Who is Hon. Sunday Karimi?
My name is Hon. Sunday Steve Karimi, born over five decades ago, attended LSMB Primary School, Oke – Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State and obtained my first school leaving certificate between 1969 and 74.
From there I proceeded to Titcombe College Egbe for my secondary school certificate between 1974 – 79 before I was admitted to study Production Engineering at the prestigious Kwara School of Technology as it used to be called those days, now Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin between 1979 and 83. I did my youth service the same year in Borno state.
Immediately after my youth service, I got employment with Nigerian Defence Industry in Kaduna, that is the company that deals with the production of arms and ammunition for the Nigerian Armed Forces , I worked there for 9 years and in 1996 to be precise I resigned my appointment to join the private sector especially in the engineering sector.
I have been working running my private business in water engineering, construction and other related fields of engineering before I was elected as the Member Federal House of Representatives in 2011 to represent the good people of Yagba Federal Constituency and also reelected in 2015 for a record second tenure.
I wanted to run for the Senate in 2019 but my party then which is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not provide the opportunity to have a credible primary election and I decided to quit allowing other people from the other area to contribute to the overall development of the constituency.
While I was in the House of Representatives, I had the opportunity to touch all communities in terms of projects, there is no community in the constituency, I mean communities not wards that I did not have one project or the other credited to me during the period.
Some of the projects include the construction and handing over of 12 units of Solar Powered Motorised Boreholes Completed with 10,00 Litres UPVC Tanks on 6 metres Tank at 6Million naira each in Aiyedayo Oroke, Bareke in ward 2 Mopa, Okeagi ward 5 and in Ward 3, Mopa all in Mopamuro LGA.
Two in Egbe, one in Ejiba, one in Okoloke all in Yagba West LGA.
One in Oranre, one in Idofin Isanlu, one in Panyan and one in Mopo Isanlu all in Yagba East LGA.
In October 2016, he shared the following items to his Constituents:
150 units of Motorcycles
20 units of Tricycles
50 units of sewing Machines
20 units of Generators
75 units of pepper grinding machine to women across the 34 Wards.
3 Units of Block Moulding Machines.
Bought a giant generating set for a Welder in Mopa valued at N450,000
He gave Bursary Awards of 20,00 naira each, to 10 Students from each of the 34 wards of his Federal Constituency.
350 Students X 20,000
He facilitated the ongoing training of 10 Artisans across the 34 wards who are currently undergoing training in various fields of their training in Lokoja, Okene and Ayingba.
Last month, he started the process of getting a JAMB CBT Centre in Yagba having realised how difficult it is for Yagba JAMB candidates to travel far to write the examination.
I also have bills and several motions credited to me. Now as you see, I am back to my business.
Sir, it is on record that you were elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which is one of the legacy parties that formed the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), how come you dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), now back to the All Progressive Congress?
Thank you, yes like you said, I was elected on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011, it took us three to four months to build the party from the scratch in the constituency then, we nurtured it and because the people were tired of the Peoples Democratic Party then, it was easy for us to win at the poll. Like you know, it was the same wave that got me elected that also assisted the election of Hon. Abidemi Adeyemi as member of the Kogi State House of Assembly under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) while Barrister Henry Ojuola and Commodore Folusho Daniel were elected under the platform of All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) to represent Yagba East and Mopamuro at the State Assembly respectively, it was the same source that backed our ambitions then.
Coming back to your question of why I dumped the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at a time, you know, I am a politician and don’t forget I just told you the 2011 election was won by a group I belong to, which also assisted the other people I mentioned. HE, Arc Yomi Awoniyi was one of us and because we need to support him as the Deputy Governor of the State then, I decided to join him in his party for the benefit of the people until in 2019 the leadership of the party mismanage the internal democratic process that did not provide a level playing ground for all the aspirants in the Kogi West Senatorial District primary election and because I felt I don’t need to remain in the House of Representatives since I already have 8years, I decided to remain mute after which I rejoin my former party, All Progressive Congress which Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was one of the legacy parties.
Now you are in APC, how would you describe your new party?
Yes, it is a wonderful experience, in fact I have to give it to the leader of the party in the state which is the Executive Governor of Kogi State, HE, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the governor has made myself and others who joined the party to feel at home, like the Governor did promised to provide a level playing ground for all us that joined the party, that is exactly what he is doing, in fact he even give me the opportunity to nominate people into his cabinet, that is a great honour for me a politician despite I was one of his major critics while I was still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and in the House of Representatives but he did not think of that, he embraced me wholeheartedly, that is why I see him as a leader with a large heart having accepted me with all I said to him then. So APC in Kogi State is in safe hands with Governor Yahaya Bello as the leader.
Sir, the way you are sounding, are you prepared to run for election in 2023?
Yes off course, I am prepared to run for the senatorial election in Kogi West come 2023, like I told you earlier, I contested for the senatorial election in 2019 having served in the House of Representatives for two tenure of 8years, I have the cognate experience to provide the needed representation for the good people of Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
It is not that I don’t have the wherewithal to return to the House of Representatives in 2019 as wished by the leadership of my party (PDP) then but I felt the people of Yagba have given me enough opportunity to contribute my quota to the overall development of the constituency, hence I don’t need to abuse the privilege, having gone round to solicit for the support of the people for Senate, and then make u-turn to say it is House of Representatives again, how do you see it yourself?. Don’t forget for some time, my people in Yagba have been clamouring to have a shot at the senate since 1999 that the country returned to democratic rule coupled with the fact that I also have something to offer to compliment what is being offered at the moment.
Sir, what exactly do you want to do different from what the current occupant is doing?
Thank you. I am not one of the politicians that do castigate others to secure positions for themselves, those that have represented the district at one time or the other have tried and contributed their best for the development of the district. I also think I have what it takes having served in the House of Representatives for 8years, I am no longer new to legislative work, hence I have the capacity to provide the qualitative representation at the senate for the district.
Are you aware the people of Lokoja/Koto-Karfe Federal Constituency are also clamouring for the senate seat come 2023?
Of course, everyone will always desire for whatever is good for him/herself, it is the constitutional right of every citizen from Kogi West to aspire to represent the district at any point in time. Having said that, they should not also forget that the same Lokoja/Koto-Karfe have it for 8years in Senator Tunde Ogbeha while Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu will be completing 16years in the senate by 2023, it is on record that since 1999, Yagba Federal Constituency have not tasted it despite several moves, so at the appropriate time, I believe the stakeholders will seat down to discuss it.
Don’t forget, politics is all about dialogue and negotiation, so like I said with the leadership qualities of the leader of the party in the state, we will discuss, dialogue and when necessary negotiate but everyone have right to aspire.
Sir, how do you see the Presidential Ambition of Governor Yahaya Bello?
I was one of the few people that saw it coming; in fact I have said it in early last year where I called on stakeholders in the North Central to form a formidable front to agitate for the presidency of Nigeria since the geo political zone is also formidable front in term of delivering reasonable votes in any election.
So seeing one of us, a vibrant, energetic and pragmatic individual who have performed creditably well in the areas of security, health, education, youths and women inclusiveness in governance, provision of infrastructures and as the youngest Governor in Kogi State, what are we waiting for than to give him the needed support for him to actualize his dream.
In fact, north central and Kogi State will benefit more from Governor Yahaya Bello Presidential Ambition because he is one of us who knows and understands where the shoe is pinching us.
How do you think the security menace in the country can be tackled and reduced to the barest minimum?
Security issues are collective responsibilities of the entire citizenry not just limited to the leadership of the country or the security agencies alone, it is the duty of all and sundry to work together and find lasting solutions to the mirage of security challenges in the country.
All hands must be on deck to confront the challenges which are rearing their heads in insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery; we must not allow criminals to take over our country from us. So it is the duty of all of us to confront the security challenges by reporting any suspicious movement or activities in the area to the security agents around you.
Finally, what would be you advice to other politicians like you as we move closer to 2023 political dispensation?
My advice is simple, we should all remember that it is because we have a country before we strive to provide leadership, we should all work for the peace, unity and development of our nation, Nigeria. The adverse effect of breeding thuggery to win election is always not good, look at the Boko haram, that has become another thing now, so politicians should not place their ambition higher than the collective interest of the country, the country is bigger than any ambition. Irrespective of tribal, religion and political affiliation, it is time for all of us to work together for the benefit of the entire citizenry of Nigeria.
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