When the position of the Senate Seat for Kogi West is being discussed ahead of 2027, the man Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro is a major player that is currently on the front burner. Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro has been a man looked upon in Yagba West even before he became Member, House of Reps under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party PDP. He has been a man looked upon to decide the fate of aspirants and whoever he supports, definitely wins the election in the Area. When he became the Member Representing Yagba Federal Constituency, he did a lot to etch his name in the heart of the people. He enlarged his coast in terms of delivering the dividends of democracy to the electorate. He created job opportunities for the youth, he constructed and maintained roads, provided boreholes and other amenities. Because of his high regards for the traditional institutions, he provided them mobility (Jeeps).
He was very close to the Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (IBRO). I can say without mincing words that ARO was instrumental to the Governor’s three visits (at least) to Odo-Eri in Yagba West, cementing the cordial friendship he had with the then Governor. He also brought the Speaker, House of Representatives and Former Sokoto State Governor who is now an ADC Member. This is the personality of Hon. Sam Aro. During the Alliance that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress APC, Aro stood as a pillar to the merger in Kogi West. Aro and Hon. Buba Jibril played a critical role. Aro was fully in charge of Yagba West during the Formation and the congress of the Party. He should have been the first Senator representing Kogi West, but because of the alliance between Sen. Dino Melaye and Late Abubakar Audu, got him screened out from the Party’s Primaries. He then defected to the Accord Party and lost to Dino on the field. Surprisingly, that never stopped him from making his supporters happy and he was filled with hope that one day, he will see the light of the day.
During the journey of Abubakar Audu becoming the Governor of the State, he (Abubakar Audu) called me that he wants Samuel Aro to decamp from Accord Party and join him in the APC to be able to win the Primaries and make him the Deputy Governor of the State. I took it upon myself, I called Aro, but he said it was deception. I said “No! With the calibres of people that approached me. Abubakar Audu, Obulu Okpanachi, Humphrey Abbah, and the Present Ohimege Igu of Koton-karfe, we went to Aro’s place on six different occasions and it was on the sixth that he agreed and we were very happy. The Primaries came and late Audu won. With that, we had high hopes that he would pick Samuel Aro as his Deputy according to the agreement made earlier. But along the line something happened. A meeting took place at the residence of the current President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his residence in Maitama between Late Prince Abubakar Audu, Samuel Bamidele Aro, former APC Chairman, Bisi Akande. There at the meeting, Sam Aro was pleaded with, to relinquish the Deputy Governor’s slot for Hon. James Faleke. In the spirit of love, brotherliness and progressive mindset, he agreed. All through the campaign train of Late Prince Abubakar Audu, myself representing Hon. Sam Aro, we were always in the same vehicle with Prince Audu and Hon. James Faleke and we did the best we could on behalf of Sam Aro and ensured the election came to a successful conclusion where Prince Audu won before God decided otherwise.
It was the Coordinators of Hon. Samuel Aro, when he was in Accord Party that worked for the Primaries of HE Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello that made him to become the second runners up of the election. People like Hon. Taofiq Isah, Moses Tolorunleke, Alumo, Timi Joseph, among others, made the process possible.
No one has suffered for the Party like Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro because of certain treatment, he moved to move PDP to deputise Wada but they lost out. I was made to believe that ARO was instrumental in persuading Yahaya Bello to give Karimi the ticket to represent Kogi West. Even when there was a misunderstanding between Aro FGYB, he was calm, no open confrontation nor criticism against the Governor and the Governor. For anyone now saying they deserve the seat more than Aro, I say they don’t know the history of the Party because Aro has paid his dues more than them all.
To this end, I say, a man who has sacrificed so much for the Party (APC) should be compensated with the Senate seat. He has all it takes to deliver the needed results for the people of the Western Senatorial District. For peace and togetherness, let’s give Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro a chance to serve his people again come 2027 as the Senator Representing Kogi West.
HIGH CHIEF RICHARD FOLORUNSHO ASAJE is the Founder, and National Coordinator, Like Minds Alliance Pressure Group
5th May, 2026
