The All Progressives Congress candidate for Kogi West Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, Senator Sunday Karimi, has vowed to challenge a Federal High Court judgment nullifying his candidacy, insisting he remains the party’s flag bearer.

The judgment was delivered on Wednesday by the Federal High Court in Abuja in a suit filed by Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro, who challenged Karimi’s emergence as the APC candidate. The court declared Aro as the winner of the primary and sacked Karimi.

Reacting in a statement personally signed by him and released on Wednesday, Karimi described the ruling as unfortunate and contrary to the evidence before the court. He alleged that the trial judge departed from his own previous rulings in similar pre-election matters.

“It is crystal clear that the judgment is contrary to the evidence before the Court and it is unfortunate that the trial judge overruled himself, having ruled in not less than three similar cases on the issue of statute of limitation in pre-election proceedings as well as proper authority to conduct and determine winner of political party primary elections,” Karimi said.

He further alleged that Aro did not participate in the party’s senatorial primary but submitted fabricated documents to support his claim. He maintained that the people of Kogi West know that his challenger was not at the primary.

Karimi said he will exercise his constitutional right of appeal, expressing confidence in the resilience of the judiciary. He said the Nigerian legal system allows for redress through the appellate process and that he remains hopeful of securing justice.

Despite the setback, the senator said his campaign continues with renewed zeal and vigour. “I remain strong and undeterred, and my campaign continues with renewed zeal and vigour. My detractors do not love our party or Mr President. I remain Mr President’s number-one supporter in Kogi State,” he said, urging supporters to remain calm and steadfast.