***Karimi’s Bold Remark Stirs Rebellion, Wada’s Defection Stalls Amid Deepening Power Rift
A new wave of tension has swept through the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the conspicuous absence of top national figures from the weekend’s endorsement rally for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Usman Ododo — a silence party insiders describe as a “political statement louder than words.”
The Lokoja rally, touted as a grand reaffirmation of support for Tinubu and the Ododo administration, was expected to showcase the state’s unity under the ruling party.
But what was meant to be a celebration turned into a display of political isolation, as no member of the APC National Working Committee, no state governor, and no representative of the Presidency attended.
Even Vice President Kashim Shettima — listed as a special guest — neither showed up nor sent a representative, also the Minister of Steel Development is Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu was absent.
The cold shoulder, according to high-ranking sources, was a calculated signal from Abuja that all is not well with the Yahaya Bello–Ododo faction.
“It wasn’t an oversight. It was a message,” a senior party insider told our correspondent.
“The Presidency and the APC National are clearly distancing themselves from that camp. The centre of gravity in Kogi politics is shifting.”
Sources within the APC national structure reveal that the Presidency may be more comfortable with Hon. James Faleke, a long-time Tinubu loyalist and key player in the President’s campaign machinery.
The decision to stay away from the Lokoja rally, according to analysts, was meant to avoid legitimising the old Yahaya Bello structure, which many in Abuja view as politically fatigued.
“The rally was meant to showcase strength, but it ended up exposing division,”
said a political analyst in Lokoja.
“Without Abuja’s presence, it looked like a house divided against itself.”
Caught in the crossfire is former Governor Idris Wada, whose anticipated defection to the APC later this month is now on hold.
Sources close to the former PDP chieftain say Wada was in the final stages of negotiation before the Lokoja rally, but the visible disconnect between the state and national APC leadership has prompted him to pause and reassess his options.
“Wada is a strategist. He won’t join a moving train that has lost direction,”
said a close associate.
“He’s waiting to see which faction truly has Abuja’s blessing before making any move.”
The hesitation underscores the uncertainty within Kogi APC, where loyalties appear to be shifting faster than ever ahead of the 2027 elections.
While the national coldness played out, Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) added a fresh layer of drama with his pointed remark that “Kogi electorates need no bullying to vote for Tinubu.”
The statement, subtle yet sharp — was widely interpreted as criticism of the state government’s coercive mobilization tactics.
In swift retaliation, all seven APC local government chairmen in Kogi West jointly issued a statement condemning Karimi as “a failed and ungrateful politician.”
“We find it disappointing that Senator Karimi, who has benefited from the APC, could undermine the collective effort to demonstrate loyalty to our President and Governor,”
the statement read.
“His comment was divisive and uncalled for.”
The altercation has deepened the visible cracks within Kogi West APC, where Karimi’s growing independence is seen as a challenge to the existing power hierarchy.
What began as a loyalty rally has turned into a mirror reflecting the fragmentation within Kogi APC.
With the Presidency and APC national leadership seemingly leaning toward Faleke’s camp, the Ododo–Bello bloc faces a reality check on its political relevance.
Meanwhile, Karimi’s defiance and Wada’s hesitation add to the uncertainty.
“Kogi APC is entering a season of realignment,”
observed another political commentator.
“The silence from Abuja isn’t just absence — it’s a statement of intent.”
As the dust from the Lokoja rally settles, one message rings clear: in the unfolding drama of Kogi politics, loyalty alone no longer guarantees recognition.
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