By joshua Kogi West Stands With Sen. Karimi After Primary Victory Citing Record of Grassroots Service
By Our Reporter
“When God moves in the direction of a man, his foes will strike hard to bring him down. But the more they do, the higher his popularity rises, until he becomes the toast of the majority.”
That sentiment has defined the mood across the seven local government areas of Kogi West following Senator Sunday Karimi’s victory at the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senatorial District Primary. From Lokoja to Mopamuro, Kabba to Yagba, constituents say they are standing with a legislator whose record of grassroots service has earned their trust.
Sen. Karimi describes legislative work and delivering dividends to his people as “non-negotiable.”
“I want to reaffirm my unwavering commitment to the people of Kogi West Senatorial District and to the service of our great nation, Nigeria. I promise to remain focused on effective representation, people-centred legislation, and strong oversight that will promote good governance, sustainable development, and a better quality of life for our people, especially the average Kogi Westerner,” he said.
“Together, we will continue to work with unity, purpose, and Renewed Hope for a stronger, better, and more prosperous Kogi West in particular and Nigeria at large.”
He notes that what has been achieved so far is “a tip of the iceberg,” and says the next term will be more rewarding, with lessons from the first term applied to close existing gaps.
Across Kogi West, stakeholders point to interventions that have touched different sectors of life. In infrastructure and rural development, constituency projects have improved access roads, opened rural communities, and eased movement for farmers and traders, while drawing federal attention to key corridors that link the district to markets and services. In education, he facilitated scholarships and bursaries for indigent students, supported the rehabilitation and equipping of schools, and pushed for wider access to tertiary education opportunities for Kogi West youths.
In health and social welfare, he championed primary healthcare interventions, including medical equipment support and outreach programmes to underserved areas, and extended assistance to women, persons living with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. For youths and women, he prioritized skills acquisition, ICT training, and small business support, and created avenues for young professionals and entrepreneurs to benefit from federal empowerment programmes. In agriculture, he connected farming communities to inputs, training, and market access initiatives, and supported efforts to strengthen food security in the agrarian belt of Yagba, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, and Mopamuro.
On the legislative side, Sen. Karimi sponsored and co-sponsored bills and motions focused on governance, security, and accountability, and engaged oversight of federal agencies to ensure Kogi West benefits from national programmes and budgetary allocations. He has also consistently called for unity among political stakeholders, traditional institutions, and community leaders, a stance party leaders say has helped consolidate APC’s dominance in the district.
Political observers say Sen. Karimi’s journey is notable. As a two-term member of the House of Representatives for Yagba Federal Constituency, he set representation benchmarks that remain a reference point in the area. His move to the Senate broke another jinx in Kogi West, positioning him as a link between the grassroots and national institutions. Described by aides as unassuming and soft-spoken, his strongest political asset is said to be his grassroots appeal, the same base constituents credit for his primary victory.
“The people are the reason for representation,” Sen. Karimi stated. “What we have done is just the beginning. The next term will consolidate the gains and correct the gaps.”
With the APC firmly rooted in Kogi West and the grassroots remaining his mainstay, Sen. Karimi says unity and focus will be key going forward. For many in the district, the message is clear: they are standing with a representative who has placed the people first, and they are ready to do so again.