Fresh controversy is trailing the Kogi West Senatorial District as allegations emerged that Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo has directed Hon. Sam Aro, former House of Representatives Member, to visit Iluke Bunu in Kabba/Bunu LGA alongside Council Chairmen from the District.
According to insider reports, the visit is the latest attempt aimed at forcing Hon. Aro on the people of Kogi West, month after the district overwhelmingly voted Senator Sunday Karimi as the people’s choice during the last APC Senatorial District primaries. The primary results remain in the public domain.
Sources revealed that the Iluke Bunu tour is being packaged as a constituency outreach meant to win the hearts of the people and project Hon. Aro as sensitive to local challenges. But critics within the delegation described it as another round of propaganda in a contest they insist has already been decided.
“Several efforts since the victory have been on through deceit to thwart the people’s will, attempts that have severally failed,” a source familiar with the matter said. “This latest directive for the former House of Representatives member to visit Iluke Bunu with Council Chairmen coarsed is suggested to be another move that may help him gain sympathy and put him in a positive light.”
One of the council Chairmen allegedly coerced into the trip expressed worry over what he called a continued reliance on propaganda when the issue of the senatorial candidate had been settled in favor of the incumbent, Senator Karimi, who participated in and won the primary overwhelmingly.
Other Council members of the entourage reportedly described the visit as “time wasting,” but said they had no choice but to play along to show loyalty.
The development has reignited debate in Kogi West about internal party democracy and respect for the expressed will of the electorate. Stakeholders in the district are urging truth and sincerity to prevail, arguing that the people spoke loudly during the primary and that result should be respected.
As at press time, there was no official reaction from the Kogi State Government, Hon. Sam Aro, or Senator Sunday Karimi’s camp regarding the allegations. All parties involved are yet to confirm or deny the claims surrounding the Iluke Bunu visit.
The Kogi West senatorial seat remains a key political battlefront in the state, with observers watching closely to see how the party manages post-primary tensions and whether the outcome of the primary will stand without further interference. More worrisome is the fact that Hon. Aro withdrew from the race, having made public his statement, wondered the U-turn.
