In a district at a crossroads, continuity is not a luxury—it is a strategy for progress.
The coming general election in Kogi West Senatorial District will not be decided by the noise of party primaries or the rhetoric of campaign rallies. It will be decided by a simple, sober question that every voter must ask: Who has the record, the reach, and the readiness to deliver? For the people of Kogi West, that question has a clear answer—Senator Steve Sunday Karimi.
Senator Karimi is not asking for a second term because he is entitled to it. He is asking because the work he has begun deserves to be completed. In a political environment where too many leaders treat representation as a revolving door of slogans, Karimi has shown that leadership is about tangible impact. His first term has laid a foundation. The next four years will be about building on it.
In the 10th Senate, Senator Karimi has been a strong voice for Kogi West. He has consistently drawn attention to the security challenges facing the district and has worked to attract federal presence to communities that have long been neglected. One of the most significant achievements of his tenure is the establishment of a Nigerian Army Forward Operation Base in Egbe. This is not a mere political talking point; it is a concrete step toward protecting lives and property in a region that has known its fair share of insecurity.
Education has also been a priority. In 2023, Senator Karimi disbursed a N100 million bursary to 1,000 indigent students across Kogi West. For many families, this was not just financial assistance—it was hope. It was a message that their children matter, that their future is worth investing in. In a district where access to quality education remains a struggle for many, such interventions are not cosmetic. They are transformational.
Beyond these specific projects, Senator Karimi has provided accessible and responsive representation. He has been a senator who listens, who shows up, and who understands that power is a trust, not a trophy. His alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is not about blind loyalty; it is about positioning Kogi West to benefit from national programmes and federal investments. In politics, proximity to power matters—and Karimi has used his to bring attention and resources to the district.
There is a temptation in every election to treat change as an automatic virtue. But change for its own sake can be costly. Kogi West cannot afford to start from scratch. The projects and relationships that Senator Karimi has built take time to mature. Legislative work is not a sprint; it is a marathon. A second term would allow him to consolidate on the gains of the first, complete ongoing initiatives, and deepen the impact of his representation.
Consider the alternative. A new senator, no matter how well-intentioned, would spend the first year learning the ropes, building relationships, and navigating the complex machinery of the National Assembly. That is time Kogi West cannot afford to waste. The district needs a senator who can hit the ground running from day one. Senator Karimi has already proven that he can.
Moreover, the district needs stability. The internal wrangling that followed the APC primary has shown that politics can be divisive. But elections are ultimately about the people, not the ambitions of a few. Senator Karimi has emerged as the party’s flag bearer, and he now carries the responsibility of uniting the district behind a common vision. His second term would be an opportunity to heal divisions and focus on the real work of representation.
No leader is perfect. Every senator has shortcomings, and Kogi West is right to demand accountability. But the question before voters is not whether Senator Karimi is flawless. The question is whether he has done enough to deserve another four years. On the evidence, the answer is yes. He has delivered on security. He has invested in education. He has been a visible and vocal advocate for the district. He has not been silent on the issues that matter.
Critics may point to what remains undone. But that is precisely why he needs a second term—to finish what he started. The foundation is laid. The next phase is about consolidation. Kogi West cannot afford to change a winning formula out of impatience.
As the campaigns intensify, the people of Kogi West must look beyond the noise and ask: Who has the track record? Who has the experience? Who can deliver? Senator Steve Sunday Karimi has the record, the experience, and the commitment. He has been tested, and he has not been found wanting.
On election day, Kogi West should return a proven hand. The district should choose continuity over uncertainty, consolidation over experimentation. Senator Karimi deserves a second term—not as a reward for the past, but as an investment in the future.
The work is not finished. The journey is not complete. Kogi West needs a senator who will keep building, keep fighting, and keep delivering. That senator is Steve Sunday Karimi.
Alao Adamadamosi Sunday writes from Lokoja.
