Barrister James Ocholi can only be depicted as a humble, resolute, quiet and prevailing politician. In the recent past, the political history of kogi state took another twirl with the idea and ideals of James Ocholi (SAN). He was a man of honour, well breed and rose with a lightening political cyclone which is currently connected to a large group of upcoming generation who believed in him and supported him all his political life.
I may not know the deceased family life, his attention and coordination speaks volume of the caliber of person he was. I can only describe him a worthy ambassador of our land (The Igala Kindom), kogi state and Nigeria in his entirety. Ocholi became well known when he contested the governorship election under the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011 and lost with barely few votes above five thousand, this attempt, the sportsmanship displayed aftermaths and his party man attitude for standing by CPC with his expert power as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was the supreme decision in his political career which created a lasting warmth for him in the heart of President Muhammadu Buhari as a trusted ally to work with.
When it was time for screening of ministerial nominee by the senate, the indomitable Ocholi stood above board, he eloquently displayed his knowledge of our economy, it problems and possible solutions; with his oratory sway, he converted the screening from question and answer to a public lecture series, the whole chamber and viewers across the country applauded him as a very intelligent person fit enough to be minister of the federal republic of Nigeria and was described on social media by millions as the best speaker in the process. His choice of words is inimitable flavoured with a beautiful smile, equanimity and an incontrovertible voice. He is no doubt one of the brightest persons among his peers.
I will describe Ocholi as a man who is J-udicious, an A-chiever, M-ajestic, E-minent and S-ound (1), E-nduring, N-oble, E-lloquent, J-ovial and an orchestrator (2) and O-rderly, C-ourageous, H-olistic, O-rdained, L-earned and I-ntelligent (3). These attributes represent his names ‘JAMES’ ‘ENEJO’ ‘OCHOLI’
My contact with ocholi will amaze you, I have not seeing a simple man like him as a politician. While aspiring to be Governor of our state (kogi state) last year, he probably learned of my little influence with the young people and decided to contact me on facebook, our discussion was not fruitful because many of us sees anyone standing against the late Audu as an enemy to our developmental ideology, I shunned him, but I must confess, he bought my love with his words, issues and a wonderful sense of hilarity. The way and manner he outlined his discourse is second to few, I can only describe his lost as a serious blow to the younger generation to whom he was an asset. He was purely a grass-root politician, who can only be described as a descendant of the great Steven Makoji Achema’s political lineage.
Despite my diverse opinion on his aspiration, he continue to share views with me whenever I care to make comments or contributions; this act is not known with many of our politicians in Nigeria and Kogi State in particular.
On the news of his demise, the president described him thus: “He is a critical component of the change agenda, who has distinguished himself already within this short time”. This to me, is enough credential from the number one citizen, so while many would see his death as untimely, I would rather see his demise as a man who has completed his assignment and has simply return to fulfill the bond between man and every creature, (Death).
As I join the entire Nigerian to pray that God gives the family, the fortitude to bear this ‘triple tragedy’, I want to express my condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, the government and good people of Nigeria, Governor Yahaya Bello who has lost a great friend, the government and entire people of kogi state, especially the Igala kindom for yet again another great loss of an illustrious son.
Let us all as a people keep hope alive as I believe many heroes would raise again, for God giveth and only Him taketh.
– Salihu Adam Jiddah,
Founder: Kogi Liberation Movement and Lecturer at the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.
