Okun Group Defends Faleke, Reaffirms Support for Karimi’s APC Candidacy
The Okun Professionals and Progressives Forum has warned individuals it described as self-acclaimed stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West Senatorial District to desist from attacking the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, James Abiodun Faleke, over his support for Senator Sunday Steve Karimi.
In a statement jointly signed by the Forum’s Leader, Hon. Kazeem Abdulrauf, Coordinator, Hon. Olushola Olugbami, and Secretary, Hon. Tunde Akanmidu, the group declared that it would no longer tolerate what it described as deliberate attempts to tarnish Faleke’s reputation because of his political support for Karimi.
The forum described Senator Karimi as a foremost advocate of the political emancipation of Kogi West and a strong supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in Kogi State.
Reacting to a recent press conference held in Lokoja by some APC members opposing Karimi’s emergence as the party’s senatorial candidate, the group dismissed calls urging President Tinubu to caution Faleke, describing the allegations as unfounded.
According to the statement, Faleke has remained committed to strengthening the APC in Kogi West through collaboration with Senator Karimi, particularly in the areas of empowerment and grassroots development.
The forum said it strongly condemned what it termed an unwarranted attempt to question the integrity of the federal lawmaker, insisting that Faleke’s contributions to the development of Okunland were evident and widely acknowledged.
It credited the lawmaker with numerous empowerment programmes and community development projects, including the construction of roads, installation of solar-powered street lights, and support for traditional institutions through the construction of palaces for traditional rulers.
The group warned critics against further attacks capable of undermining Faleke’s reputation, stressing that it would resist any attempt to discredit the lawmaker.
Reaffirming its support for Senator Karimi, the forum maintained that he remains the APC’s duly nominated candidate for the 2027 senatorial election in Kogi West, describing him as the party’s strongest candidate capable of delivering victory at the polls.
The group also called on aggrieved APC members to accept the decision of the party’s national leadership and work together in the interest of party unity and the development of Kogi State.
