By joshua 
Enough Is Enough: Alfred Bello Must Stop Heating Up the APC in Kogi West
By Alao Rufus Teddy
Political leadership demands responsibility. It demands discipline in speech, respect for facts and an appreciation of the consequences of public utterances. Unfortunately, these virtues appear to be missing from the recent statements credited to Alfred Bello against Hon. James Abiodun Faleke.
It is both disturbing and disappointing that such grave allegations could be made without any credible evidence being presented to the public. In every civilised democracy, the burden of proof rests on the accuser. It is not enough to make sensational claims and expect the public to accept them as truth. Allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, do not become facts.
If Alfred Bello has credible evidence that Hon. James Abiodun Faleke is responsible for the political developments he has alleged within the APC in Kogi West, he should make that evidence public. If he cannot, then decency, fairness and political maturity demand that he withdraw from the arena of reckless accusations.
Kogi West is politically sophisticated. Its people are discerning and capable of making independent political choices. It is both unfair and insulting to suggest, without proof, that the decisions and positions of party members are merely the product of the influence of one individual. Such a narrative undermines the credibility of other stakeholders and trivialises the democratic process within the party.
What is even more troubling is the timing and possible effect of these public accusations. At a period when the APC should be consolidating its structures, strengthening internal cohesion and preparing for future political contests, inflammatory statements can only heighten suspicion, deepen divisions and provide ammunition to political opponents.
This is not the time for anyone to pour fuel on a fire that does not need to exist. The APC in Kogi West has enough experienced leaders to resolve disagreements through dialogue, consultation and the party’s internal mechanisms. Taking disagreements to the public square through unsubstantiated allegations serves no useful purpose.
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke has made his contributions to the growth of the APC over the years. Like every political leader, his actions and positions may be debated and scrutinised. However, criticism must be rooted in verifiable facts, not conjecture. Democracy permits disagreement; it does not excuse irresponsibility.
Alfred Bello should therefore desist from making statements capable of overheating the political atmosphere in Kogi West. Political leaders must recognise that words have consequences. They can unite, but they can also divide. They can build confidence, but they can also breed distrust. Those privileged to occupy positions of influence should choose their words with wisdom and restraint.
The APC must not become a platform where unverified allegations are used as political weapons. Our party deserves better. The people of Kogi West deserve better. Politics should be about ideas, performance, service and vision—not about trading accusations that cannot be substantiated.
The challenge before Alfred Bello is simple: produce the facts that support your allegations or refrain from making statements that unnecessarily inflame passions within the party. That is the minimum standard expected in any democracy governed by the rule of law and respect for truth.
The APC has overcome greater challenges because its strength lies in unity. That unity must not be sacrificed on the altar of speculation, personal opinion or political grandstanding. The responsibility of every stakeholder is to protect the party, not polarise it.
Kogi West needs calm voices, responsible leadership and evidence-based political engagement – not rhetoric that deepens division. The time to lower the political temperature is now.
Alao Rufus Teddy, Concerned APC Stakeholder,
Writes from Kabba