Political tension is rising in Kogi West following allegations that the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Council and Kogi State ALGON Chairman, Hon. Tosin Olokun, threatened to frustrate Senator Sunday Karimi’s campaign and order the arrest of some of his supporters.
The alleged threats reportedly followed Karimi’s comments on increased local government allocations and the need to ensure that the funds improve the lives of residents.
Olokun was alleged to have declared “total war” against the senator during a meeting with APC supporters at his residence in Egbe, Karimi’s hometown.
According to accounts attributed to participants, the council chairman vowed to make it difficult for Karimi to campaign across the seven local government areas of Kogi West ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He was also alleged to have compiled a list of political appointees sympathetic to the senator for possible removal from office.
The ALGON chairman was further quoted as threatening to order the arrest of Karimi’s supporters accused of spreading what he described as unverified information about local government allocations.
The controversy followed Karimi’s remarks at a town hall meeting in Anyigba, held in Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency.
The meeting brought together political stakeholders under the Win With Tinubu Shettima (WWTS) project to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Responding to a question about the benefits of petrol subsidy removal, Karimi acknowledged the economic hardship facing Nigerians but said the savings should translate into better living conditions.
He also defended Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen local government administration, noting that statutory allocations to councils had increased.
According to the senator, an average local government in Kogi State now receives about ₦500 million monthly.
“We shouldn’t be blaming everything on the federal government. A lot of savings have been made from fuel subsidy removal. We need to follow the utilisation of it. If those savings are transformed into better living conditions for our people, that would be okay,” he said.
A member of the APC local government executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reportedly attended the meeting in Egbe.
The meeting took place shortly after the council election that returned Olokun for a second term.
The party official argued that Karimi’s remarks should not attract hostility, saying his comments on subsidy removal and increased allocations deserved consideration.
The official also challenged Olokun to explain how the funds were being spent if, as he reportedly claimed, the state government was not interfering with local government finances.
The controversy has stirred reactions in the area, with some youths reportedly taking to the streets on Saturday evening to chant slogans in support of Karimi.
The youths also vowed to resist any attempt to intimidate the senator or his supporters.
A resident and businesswoman, Mrs Janet Igunnu, said public officials should welcome questions about the management of public funds.
“Democracy is about accountability to the people. Questions on how public funds are used are not an attack on any office, and the people of Kogi West deserve clear answers,” she said.
The dispute has placed the management of local government funds and political rivalry in Kogi West under renewed scrutiny as activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The allegations against Olokun have not been independently verified, and his response was not available at the time of writing.