Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Nigeria’s Kogi West Senatorial District, has pledged unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement released Wednesday in Lokoja and distributed by Nigeria’s News Agency (NAN), the lawmaker cited infrastructure advancements and human capital initiatives in his state under Tinubu’s leadership as central to his endorsement.
Karimi highlighted multiple high-profile projects, including the dualization of major transport corridors like the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene and Okene-Auchi-Benin highways, aimed at improving connectivity and safety. Rehabilitation efforts on the Kabba-Isanlu-Egbe-Ilorin road, previously stalled, have reportedly resumed, with Karimi asserting these upgrades will benefit both local residents and national transit networks. The senator also emphasized progress on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, a 614-kilometer energy project initiated in 2020, which he said is now 75% complete. “Kogi stands to gain immensely from these developments,” he stated, framing the infrastructure push as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to regional growth.
Declaring Kogi State has “no Plan B,” Karimi vowed to rally behind Tinubu without hesitation, urging skeptics to recognize the administration’s impact. “We will stand resolutely with President Tinubu—there will be no equivocation,” he said, invoking the phrase “smell the coffee” to signal the state’s confidence in the president’s policies.
The endorsement aligns with a broader trend within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as multiple state governors have recently voiced support for Tinubu’s bid for a second term. Analysts view these early declarations as strategic positioning ahead of what is expected to be a closely watched electoral cycle, with infrastructure development likely to remain a key campaign theme. While critics highlight ongoing economic challenges, including inflation and currency instability, proponents argue that projects like the gas pipeline could bolster energy access and industrial growth across Nigeria’s Northern and Central regions.
Karimi’s remarks underscore the political significance of Kogi, a state positioned at the crossroads of Nigeria’s North and South, which has historically played a pivotal role in national elections. As public discourse intensifies ahead of 2027, Tinubu’s ability to deliver on large-scale infrastructure promises may prove critical to consolidating support within his party and among voters.
