Kogi West: APC aspirant opposes transfer of case to Abuja

n n

By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja

n

An aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the May 18, 2026 Kogi West senatorial primary, Bamidele Samuel Aro, has opposed the transfer of a suit challenging the candidacy of Senator Sunday Karimi from the Federal High Court in Lokoja to Abuja.

n

Aro had approached the court seeking, among other reliefs, a determination of whether the APC was bound by its constitution, electoral guidelines and the Electoral Act in the nomination of its candidate for the 2027 Kogi West senatorial election.

n

He is also challenging the validity of the party’s submission of Karimi’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

n

Aro is seeking a declaration that the APC primary purportedly won by Karimi was invalid and that the submission of another candidate’s name to INEC on July 11, 2026, was null and void.

n

He is further asking the court to hold that, having not withdrawn his candidacy, the party is bound to recognise him as its lawful candidate for the election.

n

He also wants an order directing INEC to accept and recognise his name as the APC candidate for Kogi West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.

n

When the matter came up for mention before Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court, Lokoja, counsel to Karimi, Ayo Jonathan, informed the court that he had received a letter indicating that the case had been transferred to the Federal Capital Territory on security grounds.

n

However, counsel to Aro, Johnson Usman, opposed the transfer, arguing that the claim of insecurity in Kogi State was unfounded and insufficient to warrant moving the case.

n

Usman noted that hundreds of vehicles travelled through Kogi State daily, arguing that the security situation should not constitute a basis for relocating the case.

n

Responding, Justice Dashen said he could not stop the transfer because it was ordered by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

n

The judge explained that the relocation was a directive of the Chief Judge and was therefore beyond his authority to reverse.

n n