By joshua 
BATTLE LINES DRAWN:
AFTER KABBA DAY CLASH,WILL FALEKE STORM KOGI’S POLITICAL SCENE,LIBERATE LUGARD HOUSE FROM ETHNIC DOMINATION?
The political landscape of Kogi State stands at a critical juncture, caught between the ghosts of promises past and the grim reality of a betrayed future. It is a moment that demands not just political calculation, but moral courage. The emerging speculation that James Abiodun Faleke is considering a gubernatorial bid is therefore not mere political gossip; it is the potential awakening of a long-deferred justice. For the sake of Kogi’s unity and the sanctity of its political covenants, we urge him to answer this call.
The provenance of this political imperative is undeniable. The late Prince Abubakar Audu’s declaration that “power must rotate” was not a casual campaign remark. It was a foundational compact, a necessary recipe for peace and equity in a state of vibrant diversity. His tragic death in 2015 did not nullify this compact; it merely placed it in a sacred trust. The custodian of that trust has always been James Abiodun Faleke.
From the outset, Faleke distinguished himself as a politician of principle. When the political machinery sought to impose Yahaya Bello on the victorious Audu-Faleke ticket, Faleke’s rejection was swift and absolute. His statement, “I am not available for that. My principal is Abubakar Audu, and I am loyal to him alive or dead,” was a powerful testament to loyalty in an arena often devoid of it. This was not the action of a man driven by personal aggrandizement, but of a lieutenant honouring his captain and their shared vision.
His subsequent, strategic support for Bello’s re-election in 2019 was predicated on a solemn vow—a vow that power would rotate to Kogi West in 2023. That Governor Bello reneged on this vow, installing his tribesman Usman Ododo instead, is more than a political betrayal; it is an act of grave injustice that has fractured the state’s delicate ethnic fabric.
This fracture was laid bare for all to see at the recent Kabba Day celebration. The event, meant for unity, became an arena for the people’s protest. Senator Sunday Karimi, voicing the collective frustration of Kogi West, stood firm on the legitimate demand for an Okun Governor in 2027, articulating the deep-seated yearning for equity that has been denied for decades.
In a telling response, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Joel Salifu Oyibo,instead of addressing this righteous agitation, chose to defiantly champion the project of exclusion. His declaration that the administration would “consolidate” and ensure a second term for Mr. Ododo was a stark confirmation of the very “ethnic captivity” of Lugard House that the people protest. This public diatribe is not just a political disagreement; it is a declaration of war on the principle of rotation. It signals an intent to intensify the politics of exclusion for another eight years, permanently sidelining the Okun people and other zones from the state’s highest office.
This is the context that makes Faleke’s potential candidacy not an option, but an obligation. The Kabba Day clash is a microcosm of the larger battle for the soul of Kogi. His recent characterization of the situation as a “grand conspiracy” and an “injustice to the people of Kogi West” is the unequivocal language of a leader who recognizes that the time for quiet diplomacy has passed. The fight for justice, as he stated, is indeed continuous, and it now logically culminates in his willingness to shoulder the mantle of leadership.
To his supporters and the people of Kogi West, a Faleke candidacy represents the culmination of a nine year struggle to reclaim a mandate unjustly interrupted. It is the chance to finally fulfil the rotational promise that Prince Audu lived and died for. He is,arguably, the only figure with the political stature, historical legitimacy, and moral authority to challenge the current establishment and present a compelling vision of a unified, equitable Kogi State.
The immense personal and political sacrifice such a bid entails is understandable,yet, some moments in history transcend individual choice. This is one such moment.
The people have spoken through Senator Karimi; the government has retorted through Deputy Governor Oyibo. The lines are clearly drawn.
Therefore, this editorial calls on Hon. James Abiodun Faleke to formally declare his intention to run for the office of Governor of Kogi State. He must transition from the quiet consultations to a bold, public campaign. He must become the vessel to resurrect Audu’s covenant, answer the call from Kabba, and liberate Lugard House from the clutches of ethnic exclusion.
The soul of Kogi State hangs in the balance. The hour demands a leader who can heal its wounds and restore its promise. That leader is James Abiodun Faleke. It is time to complete the unfinished mission.
Will Mr Faleke heed the recent calls to action?will He hit Kogi’s Political scene,ransome LUGARD HOUSE from ethnic captivity and fulfil Prince Abubakar Audu’s Rotational Promise? Only time will tell.
Honestly Barnabas Ejuku Abiodun, writes from Lokoja in Kogi state.