The Kogi State Advocacy Group for Peace and Development has passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. Concurrently, they strongly defended the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, describing him as a “peace-loving, purposeful” leader and an invaluable asset to both Kogi State and the nation.
In a statement signed by Comrade Enemona John and made available to newsmen on Thursday, the group condemned recent media attacks against Faleke, dismissing them as the handiwork of “desperate political blackmailers.”
He said their detractors are having sleepless nights because of Faleke’s closeness to President Tinubu.
‘The Eyes of the President’: Faleke’s Twin-State Impact
The stakeholders emphasized that despite representing Lagos State in the Green Chamber, Faleke has never abandoned his roots. He has consistently deployed his political capital, resources, and proximity to the presidency to foster growth and stability in Kogi State.
“Hon. James Faleke is one of the most organized, purposeful, and stable political figures in Nigeria today,” Comrade Enemona John stated. “He is effectively the ‘eyes and ears’ of the President in terms of grassroots developmental monitoring. His loyalty to the progressive cause is unmatched.”
Echoing this sentiment, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed of Kogi APC Stakeholders Forum noted that the APC’s current dominance in Kogi State is heavily indebted to Faleke’s quiet but strategic interventions.
“Because of Hon. Faleke’s direct involvement, loyalty, and deep strategic input, we are confident in our ability to deliver Kogi State 100% for APC and President Tinubu in the upcoming elections. He has used his network to secure federal appointments for countless Kogi indigenes, spanning both civil service careers and political portfolios. He is a multi-state asset.”
Reacting to a purported press release by an anonymous group asking President Tinubu to “call Faleke to order,” the Kogi APC stakeholders described the authors as “unknown elements” driven by envy and bruised egos.
“This is a classic Kogi-style political blackmail,” Ibrahim Mohammed said. “These are desperate individuals who have privatized state resources in the past and now see the close, unbreakable bond between Hon. Faleke and President Tinubu as a threat to their selfish interests. We know exactly who is behind this charade and we know their agenda.”
Mohammed further advised the presidency to ignore the detractors entirely: “We are asking the President not to give these faceless actors any audience. Their baseless petitions should be summarily trashed in the nearest State House dustbin. President Tinubu is a veteran of Nigerian politics; he cannot be deceived by characters whose track records he knows too well.”
Defending Faleke’s tangible contributions to the state, the group pointed to his recent donation of high-tech Hilux patrol vans to the newly commissioned Smart Police Divisional Headquarters in Ekinrin-Adde, Kogi West — an action that drew praise from the Kogi State Executive Council.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, conveyed Governor Ahmed Ododo’s official appreciation to the federal lawmaker, praising him for prioritizing the lives of citizens over partisan divides.
Fanwo further revealed that beyond public donations, Faleke has played critical behind-the-scenes roles in intelligence gathering, logistics, and inter-agency coordination to keep Kogi safe. The government expressed confidence that Faleke’s latest security intervention will drastically curb criminality not only in Ijumu and Okunland, but across the entire state.
“The man who once enjoyed such praise and commendation—when did he suddenly become a troublemaker in the state?” Comrade Enemona asked.
Rounding up the press statement, the APC stakeholders urged Hon. Faleke to remain focused and undeterred by the antics of disgruntled elements within the state’s political space.
“We appeal to Hon. James Faleke to disregard these bad elements. His legacy of peace, philanthropy, and progress speaks for itself. Kogi State stands firmly with him, and we stand 100% with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement concluded.
