Smart Adeyemi Bows Out of Kogi West Senate Race, Says ‘My Kind of Politics is Without Bitterness’

Senator Smart Adeyemi has officially withdrawn from the Kogi West Senatorial race under the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending his bid for a fourth term in an emotional announcement made on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

The three-term senator cited party interest, supremacy, and the “overall interest of unity, peace, and victory” as the driving forces behind his difficult decision to step aside. He declared that his kind of politics is driven by service, not personal ambition.

“As a committed democrat, I believe politics must never be driven by bitterness or personal animosity,” Adeyemi stated in a press release made available to newsmen in Lokoja. “The essence of politics is to represent the interest of the people, defend their welfare, and ensure peace, stability, and development of our state and nation at large,” he added.

His withdrawal follows extensive consultations and harmonisation meetings with stakeholders from the Western Senatorial District, including a critical gathering at the residence of retired Commander Jerry Omadara . Adeyemi explained that after careful review of all submissions, he formally accepted the collective position of the stakeholders on rotational factors and political considerations meant to ensure peace.

Although he noted that he remained the sole aspirant from his federal constituency, Adeyemi chose to sacrifice his ambition for the greater good. “I have decided to withdraw from the race in the overriding interest of the great party, the APC, so as to strengthen unity, cohesion, and oneness within Kogi State,” he said.

Citing the words of Martin Luther King Jr., he quoted: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands at moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”.

Following the withdrawal, Adeyemi has thrown his weight behind Senator Sunday Karimi, who has been endorsed by the party’s stakeholders to run for another term. He appealed passionately to his supporters and loyalists across Kogi State to support Karimi.

“I therefore appeal to my supporters, loyalists, and associates across Kogi State and beyond to always place the interest of the party above personal ambition,” he urged. “I urge my supporters and other party faithful to go ahead and vote for Senator Sunday Karimi as the candidate of the party, as my kind of politics is without bitterness and animosity,” he concluded.