2027: Karimi, Echocho mobilise Kogi East stakeholders for Tinubu’s re-election

Senators Sunday Steve Karimi and Jibril Isah Echocho have intensified efforts to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling for greater political unity across Kogi State.

The mobilisation took centre stage during the Win With Tinubu (WWT) Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency Town Hall Meeting held in Anyigba, Kogi East Senatorial District.

Senator Echocho was represented at the gathering by Akpa J. Omale, while Senator Karimi, who represents Kogi West, urged the Igala-Bassa people to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid and the APC at all levels.

Addressing participants, Karimi emphasised the importance of Kogi East to the electoral fortunes of the state, noting that the district’s voting strength must not be taken for granted.

“Let’s remove the lies, you have the highest votes in Kogi State. And we cannot play with your votes,” he said.

The senator explained that his participation in the mobilisation was driven by his commitment to President Tinubu’s re-election and was not intended to create divisions within the APC or interfere in the affairs of any political district.

“I am here to speak for Mr. President. I am here to see what I can do to elevate Mr. President in this senatorial district,” Karimi stated.

He added, “I am out to work for Mr. President. And if anybody is not happy about it, I am very sorry.”

Karimi assured the gathering that the mobilisation would continue beyond the town hall meeting, promising to return to Kogi East to strengthen the campaign structure and encourage widespread support for the President.

“We are going to work in Kogi East for the President to win the election,” he declared.

The senator also recalled the longstanding political relationship between President Tinubu and the late former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, noting that their political connections had contributed to the evolution of political alliances in the state.

He highlighted the influence of the Audu-Faleke political legacy and commended the continued engagement of Hon. James Abiodun Faleke with communities across Kogi State.

According to him, Faleke’s political activities and empowerment programmes had helped foster relationships between Kogi East and Kogi West, demonstrating the importance of cooperation across geographical and political boundaries.

Karimi further stressed that interventions by political leaders in the name of President Tinubu should promote unity and deliver meaningful benefits to citizens, irrespective of their senatorial districts or local government areas.

He also drew attention to increased financial allocations to state and local governments under the Tinubu administration, urging stakeholders to assess the government’s performance based on its policies, programmes and the tangible impact of public spending on the lives of Nigerians.

Before his address, the senator requested a minute’s silence in honour of the late Prince Abubakar Audu and former Governor Ibrahim Idris, recognising their contributions to the political development and history of Kogi State.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the commendation of Senator Karimi by Ato Kolo Onalo, who described him as a bridge-builder committed to strengthening relationships among Kogi East, Kogi Central and Kogi West.

Onalo said Karimi’s presence in Kogi East should be viewed as an effort to communicate President Tinubu’s record and mobilise support for his administration rather than an attempt to interfere in the political affairs of another senatorial district.

“In this assembly this afternoon, we have a messenger, a representative, who is a true bridge builder: Senator Steve Sunday Karimi,” he said.

He described the senator’s engagement across the state as an example of political cooperation that transcends ethnic, geographical and senatorial boundaries.

Onalo also cited Karimi’s bursary scheme, which he said benefited students from different parts of Kogi State, irrespective of their senatorial districts.

“I am a beneficiary,” he disclosed.

He further praised the provision of shuttle buses in Lokoja, noting that the initiative served residents from Igala, Ebira, Okun and other minority communities while helping to ease transportation costs following the removal of the petrol subsidy.

According to Onalo, the intervention demonstrated the importance of policies and programmes designed to reduce the economic burden on ordinary citizens.

While acknowledging public concerns over the rising cost of living, he urged Nigerians to examine how the funds saved through subsidy removal were being utilised.

He added that the town hall meeting provided an opportunity to explain the economic, structural and social reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration since it assumed office in May 2023.

Stakeholders seek APC victory in 2027

Hon. Musa Bakare, Chief Strategist, Media and Publicity of Win With Tinubu in Kogi State, urged supporters to demonstrate their appreciation for the administration through their votes in the 2027 general elections.

Bakare cited ongoing road construction and other projects as part of the administration’s record, calling on stakeholders to communicate the government’s achievements to voters at the grassroots.

He commended Karimi for travelling from Abuja to engage stakeholders in Kogi East, describing the visit as a demonstration of commitment to the President’s political interests and the unity of the APC.

Bakare also acknowledged the contributions of the Kogi State Coordinator of the Win With Tinubu initiative, Hon. Sani Philips, and thanked Karimi for appointing him to the position.

He expressed confidence in the mobilisation effort, predicting victory for President Tinubu and all APC candidates in Kogi State in 2027.

Other prominent participants included retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Abutu Yaro; former Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Dr Kashim Akor; and Chief Sayo Dada, leader of the Yoruba community in Dekina Local Government Area.

In his remarks, Yaro welcomed Karimi and other dignitaries, noting that the gathering brought together political stakeholders and community representatives from different local government areas, communities and wards.

He explained that the meeting was organised to sensitise the people and solicit their support for President Tinubu ahead of the next general elections.

Yaro commended Karimi for his efforts to strengthen the Tinubu campaign structure in Kogi State, particularly in Kogi West, as well as his contributions to the growth of the APC and voter participation.

He expressed optimism that the senator would sustain his engagement with stakeholders in Kogi East.

The meeting formed part of the ongoing Win With Tinubu mobilisation campaign aimed at consolidating grassroots support for President Tinubu and APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.