Senator Sunday Karimi has vowed to appeal the Federal High Court judgment nullifying his emergence as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Kogi West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, insisting that he remains undeterred by the ruling.
Karimi, who currently represents Kogi West in the Senate, said he would challenge the decision through the appellate process and expressed confidence that the judiciary would ultimately do justice in the dispute.
The Federal High Court had on Wednesday nullified the APC’s submission of Karimi’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission and ordered the party to replace him with Samuel Bamidele Aro.
Justice Salim Ibrahim, delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/63/2026, held that the APC primary conducted on May 18, 2026, which produced Aro, was the valid exercise.
The court held that the primary which produced Karimi was not monitored by INEC as required by the Electoral Act and consequently declared the APC’s submission of his name to the commission null and void.
It ordered the APC to immediately forward Aro’s name to INEC and directed the electoral body to recognise and publish him as the party’s candidate for the Kogi West senatorial election.
The court also restrained Karimi from presenting or holding himself out as the APC candidate for the district.
Reacting to the judgment, Karimi said the decision was inconsistent with the evidence presented before the court.
“It is clear that the judgment runs contrary to the evidence before the court,” he said.
He also alleged that the trial judge departed from previous decisions on similar issues, particularly those relating to limitation periods in pre-election matters and the authority responsible for conducting party primaries and determining their winners.
Karimi said he would exercise his constitutional right of appeal and remained confident in the judicial process.
He further alleged that Aro did not participate in the APC primary election and accused him of presenting documents to support what he described as a false claim.
“The people of Kogi West, the entire state, and even Samuel Bamidele Aro know that he did not participate in the primary election, yet submitted fabricated documents to support a false claim,” Karimi said.
The allegation remains Karimi’s claim and has not been established by an appellate court. The Federal High Court, on the contrary, held that Aro proved his case and emerged from the valid primary monitored by INEC.
Karimi also accused unnamed political leaders in Kogi State of being behind what he described as persistent attempts to persecute him over his criticism of the management of the state’s resources.
“I wish to state that this incident is the handiwork of the state’s rulers who have been desperate and relentless in their efforts to persecute me and protect their grip on Kogi State’s resources, an issue I have spoken out against,” he said.
Despite the legal setback, Karimi said his political activities and campaign would continue.
“I remain strong and undeterred, and my campaign continues with renewed zeal and vigour,” he said.
He also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu, describing himself as the President’s “number-one supporter in Kogi State.”
Karimi urged his supporters to remain calm while he pursues his appeal.
“I urge my supporters to stay strong as we pursue redress in court. This is part of what we must go through to reach our destination. Let us remain steadfast in our quest for good governance,” he said.
.. “My Campaign Continues With Renewed Zeal” — Sen. Karimi Reacts As Court Orders APC To Replace Him With Aro … NewsNGR.
