By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
Politics, particularly in a democratic society, should be guided by justice, fairness and the collective interest of the people rather than personal differences. It is against this backdrop that recent comments attributed to Hon. Alfred Bello, suggesting that his disagreement with Hon. James Abiodun Faleke is “personal,” deserve careful examination.
Every politician is entitled to personal opinions and relationships. However, when such personal positions begin to influence public discourse on the legitimate aspirations of an entire senatorial district, it becomes necessary to separate individual interests from the collective destiny of the people.
The agitation for Kogi West to produce the governor in 2027 did not begin with Hon. James Faleke, nor does it end with him. It predates many of today’s political actors and has consistently been championed by traditional rulers, elders, youth groups, professionals, civil society organisations and political stakeholders who believe in equity and fairness.
Reducing the struggle for power rotation to a disagreement with one individual amounts to diminishing the legitimate aspirations of millions of Kogi West citizens.
The governorship quest is not about Faleke’s personality. It is about correcting a longstanding political imbalance since the creation of Kogi State in 1991. While other senatorial districts have produced governors, Kogi West remains the only district yet to occupy the state’s highest political office through a democratic electoral mandate.
Therefore, anyone opposing the aspiration should present convincing political or constitutional arguments rather than allowing personal disagreements to shape public opinion.
Hon. Alfred Bello reportedly questioned those advocating for Kogi West in 2027 and suggested that they were deceiving the people by raising expectations that may not materialise. Every citizen has the right to express such concerns. However, history has repeatedly shown that no legitimate political aspiration is achieved without advocacy, negotiation and sustained engagement.
The struggle for state creation, resource control, local government autonomy and even Nigeria’s democratic journey all began with voices many initially dismissed as unrealistic. Political aspirations become realities through consensus-building, negotiation and perseverance—not by surrendering before the conversation even begins.
Interestingly, Hon. Bello referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s advice to leaders of the Okun Development Association before the 2023 governorship election, urging dialogue and negotiation.
That advice remains valid today.
Indeed, many advocates of Kogi West’s governorship ambition have consistently called for peaceful consultation with stakeholders across Kogi Central and Kogi East. Their campaign has largely focused on equity, inclusion and political justice rather than confrontation.
Negotiation, however, does not mean abandoning the aspiration. It means pursuing it through persuasion, mutual respect and political consensus.
It is also important to recognise that Hon. James Faleke is only one among several respected political leaders from Kogi West. The district is blessed with accomplished public servants, former ministers, legislators, technocrats, business leaders and experienced administrators capable of leading the state.
Consequently, making the discussion revolve around one individual risks diverting attention from the broader issue of fairness.
If Hon. Alfred Bello’s reservations are truly personal, then they should remain personal. The collective future of Kogi West should not be defined by private disagreements between political actors.
No individual’s personal preference should outweigh the constitutional rights and democratic aspirations of an entire senatorial district.
Kogi West’s demand is anchored on the principles of inclusion, justice and equal opportunity. It is neither a declaration of hostility against Kogi Central nor an attempt to deny any district its political relevance.
Rather, it seeks to strengthen the unity of Kogi State by ensuring that every component of the state has a genuine sense of belonging.
Political equity has often served as a stabilising factor in diverse societies. Where fairness prevails, unity is strengthened; where exclusion persists, discontent grows.
As discussions on the 2027 governorship gather momentum, political leaders should exercise caution in their public statements. They should avoid reducing collective aspirations to personal rivalries or political misunderstandings.
The future of Kogi State deserves debates driven by ideas, justice and the common good—not personal sentiments.
Ultimately, personalities will come and go. Political offices will change hands. But the quest for fairness, justice and equal representation will remain.
Kogi West is greater than any individual. Its aspiration is bigger than any personal disagreement, and its future should never be held hostage by private political differences.
— Musa Tanimu Nasidi is a journalist and public affairs commentator based in Lokoja, Kogi State.
