A fresh legal dispute has emerged over the All Progressives Congress ticket for the Kogi West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general election, as Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Lokoja against the APC, Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
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 process that led to the nomination of its candidate for the Kogi West Senatorial District election.
He is also challenging the APC’s submission of Senator Karimi’s name to INEC as the party’s 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 for the senatorial district.
Aro argued that the subsequent submission of another candidate’s name to INEC on July 11, 2026, was unlawful, null and void.
He further contended that since he had not withdrawn his candidacy, the APC was obligated to recognise him as its legitimate flag bearer.
Among the reliefs sought is an order directing INEC to accept and recognise his name as the APC candidate for Kogi West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.
The suit marks another phase in the controversy surrounding the APC senatorial primary in Kogi West.
Senator Karimi was earlier declared winner of the May 18, 2026 primary after the returning officer, Isah Haruna, announced that he polled 51,665 votes.
Reports at the time indicated that Aro and some other aspirants had withdrawn from the contest before the exercise. The primary was also said to have followed Karimi’s endorsement as the APC consensus candidate by party stakeholders, with the backing of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Following allegations of irregularities in the primary, the APC National Working Committee, acting on the recommendations of the Election Appeal Committee, reaffirmed Karimi as the duly elected candidate and forwarded his name to INEC through the party’s nomination portal.
The appeal panel reportedly reviewed more than 700 petitions nationwide, leading to changes across nine states.
Aro’s decision to challenge both the outcome of the primary and the APC NWC’s resolution has generated mixed reactions within the party.
While some party members acknowledge his constitutional right to seek judicial interpretation, others have criticised the suit as a move that could prolong internal disagreements.
Some APC stakeholders expressed concern that reopening the contest after the party leadership had accepted Karimi’s candidacy could distract from preparations for the 2027 general election and affect party unity in Kogi West.
One APC chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reportedly said the litigation reflected the determination of some political actors to sustain internal divisions rather than promote cohesion within the party.
The post “Aro Sues APC, INEC, Karimi Over Kogi West Senatorial Ticket” — Asks Court To Void Submission Of Karimi’s Name, Recognise Him As Candidate appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.