While dedicating the victory to the entire Kogi West people, Karimi, who is from Yagba Federal Constituency, applauded Lokoja/Kotonkarfe and Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu federal constituencies “for having confidence in Yagba this time.”
The victor, who ran as candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 70,184 votes to defeat his main opponent, Tajudeen Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 51, 964 ballots.
He won in five of the seven councils that make up the senatorial district, namely Yagba West, Yagba East, Mopamuro, Ijumu and Kotonkarfe, while Yusuf secured Kabbabunu and Lokoja councils.
In his post-election remarks yesterday, Karimi said: “First of all, I cannot thank the people of Kogi West enough. They demonstrated clearly their love for me and their quest for equity for voting overwhelmingly for me.
And I want to assure them that I will do all to bring the dividends of democracy to the people. I can’t do it alone, but I believe God will do it for me. I will not say that I am surprised because the campaign took us to all the 85 electoral wards in Kogi West Senatorial District and most of the communities.
The people told us no other aspiring candidates had undergone such vigorous campaigns like us. From the overwhelming response of our people, I will not say I am surprised that they demonstrated it through giving us their votes.
“I will appreciate them for the rest of my life and serve them to the best of my ability. To my party men and women, I will remain a loyal APC member and work for the unity of the party not only to retain Kogi State in the upcoming governorship election but also to make the people feel the impact of governance on sustained economic growth, infrastructure development and human welfare in all the communities.”
