1
…Demands Public Apology From Lawmaker For Undermining Okunland
LAGOS – The Kogi West Youth Forum has issued a strong criticism of Senator Sunday Karimi following his careless remarks at the recent Kabba Day celebration where he unilaterally sold Kogi West electoral future to Kogi East, a zone they declare as the political Egypt for Okun people.
The Forum accused the Senator of plans to betray and thwart the political investment Okun people made in 2023 to make a central candidate to win, signaling an alliance they say would conveniently make Kogi West to take the seat in 2031 after the second term of incumbent Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. According to the group, the statement made by him to align Kogi West with Kogi East to challenge Governor Usman Ododo’s second term ambition without any consultation with the people, describing his actions as reckless, insensitive and divisive.
The statement, signed by its Chairman Prince Temitope Ajisafe, noted Okunland’s long-standing support for Igala leadership (1999–2015) under Governors Audu, Ibro, and Wada, pointing out that this solidarity brought no development to the region.
“In contrast, it acknowledged Dr. Clarence Olorunfemi, an Okun leader, for his contributions, including the establishment of the College of Technical Education as an example of local efforts toward progress.”
The group says no Igala true born will ever support another tribe and Kogi West doesn’t have the numbers and the LGAs sufficient enough to win governorship seat without any tangible alliance, noting that the support Kogi West gave to the central would be reciprocated after the second tenure of Governor Ododo.
The Forum expressed continued support for Governor Ododo’s second-term bid, citing his investments in Okunland.
The statement included the assertion that “Kogi central ticket has done so much for Okun people, and will move power to Kogi West, particularly Okun, after his eight years,” while calling for future reciprocity from Kogi Central.
The Forum also highlighted recent infrastructural gains under the current administration, especially improvements in road networks across Kabba and adjoining communities, empowerment initiatives targeted at Okun youths, and increased access to state opportunities.
The group emphasised that these developments represent tangible progress that should be protected, rather than undermined by divisive political rhetoric.
The group further said the Senator over the last two years of his election has failed to call a single town hall meeting to brief the people or give account of his stewardship. The group accused the senator of failure of performance.
The Forum demanded that Senator Karimi should publicly account for all projects delivered in Kogi West during his tenure, apologise for actions perceived as undermining Okunland’s unity and call for a federal constituency’s town hall meeting to render account of his stewardship.
They warned that failure to comply could lead to a recall process to remove him from office.
The statement framed the 2027 election as a critical opportunity for Okunland to reject marginalisation and elect leaders committed to its development. It reaffirmed that the region would no longer tolerate politics that sacrifice collective progress for personal ambition, vowing to oppose any politician whose actions run contrary to the interests of Okun people.
