Fresh cracks have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West Senatorial District after angry party members and youths disrupted an alleged move to secure traditional endorsement for a Senate aspirant, accusing political actors of attempting to impose a candidate outside the party’s primary process.
The protest, which unfolded on Friday at the palace of the Obaro of Kabba, forced the suspension of a planned meeting reportedly convened to rally royal support for a contender whom protesters claimed did not participate in the APC senatorial primary.
Eyewitnesses said scores of party supporters and constituents stormed the palace premises after reports circulated that traditional rulers had gathered for an endorsement exercise. Protesters blocked access to the venue, chanting slogans and insisting that the outcome of the party primary should not be undermined through backdoor political arrangements.
The demonstration highlighted growing discontent among grassroots APC members who fear that internal party democracy could be sacrificed in favour of elite political interests ahead of the next election cycle.
Many of the protesters maintained that any attempt to confer legitimacy on a candidate outside the primary process would amount to disregarding the wishes of party members who participated in the selection exercise.
The development comes amid heightened political interest in the Kogi West Senate seat, one of the state’s most strategic political positions. Senator Sunday Karimi emerged victorious in the APC primary after several prominent aspirants reportedly stepped down before the contest.
Although no official endorsement emerged from the palace meeting, the incident underscored the sensitivity of the race and the potential for deeper divisions within the ruling party if stakeholders fail to manage emerging grievances.
The protesters also urged traditional institutions to remain above partisan politics, arguing that royal fathers should serve as neutral custodians of peace rather than participants in political contests.
Security personnel later restored calm to the area, but party leaders are expected to engage stakeholders in a bid to prevent the disagreement from escalating into a wider intra-party crisis.
With the Senate ticket already generating intense debate across the district, political observers say how the APC handles the controversy could have significant implications for party cohesion in Kogi West ahead of future electoral contests.