From Olu Samuel, Lokoja
Protest erupted on Friday at the palace of the Obaro of Kabba, following reports of a planned endorsement meeting over the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Kogi West Senatorial District.
Eyewitnesses said a large number of constituents mobilised to the palace after word spread that traditional rulers had assembled at the instance of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to endorse a candidate, who, they alleged, did not take part in the party’s primary election.
Videos and accounts from the scene showed youths and party supporters chanting and blocking entry to the palace to prevent the meeting from proceeding. Security personnel were later deployed to manage the crowd and maintain order.
The protesters argued that any endorsement outside the process recognized by the APC constitution would undermine party unity and disenfranchise members who participated in the primaries.
The aggrieved constituents alleged that the meeting was convened to present another aspirant for royal backing, despite that individual’s absence from the APC primary. They insisted that the mandate of party members must be respected and that traditional institutions should remain neutral in partisan contests.
As of the time of filing this report, no official endorsement was announced from the palace, and the Obaro’s office had not issued a statement.
The Kogi West Senate seat is one of the most keenly contested positions in the state, with multiple aspirants jostling for the APC ticket ahead of the next election cycle. The district covers seven LGAs – Lokoja, Kogi/Koton Karfe, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Yagba East, Yagba West, and Mopamuro – and party stakeholders have repeatedly called for a transparent selection process.
Ododo’s office has not commented on the allegations linking him to the planned endorsement. Efforts to reach the APC Kogi State Secretariat for clarification were unsuccessful at press time.
Some party members at the protest said they were not against royal counsel, but demanded that traditional rulers should not be used to ratify outcomes that bypass internal party democracy. Others called for dialogue to prevent a wider rift within the Kogi West APC.
The situation at the Obaro’s palace remained calm but tense after security intervention. Party leaders in the district are expected to meet to address the grievances and clarify the status of the Senate ticket.
Details of the outcome of the meeting and official responses from the palace, the governor’s office, and the APC are still being expected as at time of filling this report.