By Musa Bakare.
As Kogi State gradually approaches another defining moment in its political history the 2027 gubernatorial election, voices from across the three senatorial districts have begun to loudly resonate with a familiar call: the appeal for Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke to once again step forward and seek the governorship seat.
This call, gaining traction across the political spectrum, transcends mere politics; it embodies a yearning for justice, equity, and a long overdue political restitution.
Rt. Hon. James Faleke, a name synonymous with loyalty, service, and resilience, occupies a unique place in the political consciousness of Kogi State. Many recall the events of 2015 when Hon. Faleke, having served as the running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was poised to assume leadership after their joint landslide electoral victory.
Fate, however, dealt a cruel blow when Prince Abubakar Audu passed away suddenly before the election results were fully declared. In the controversial aftermath, Hon. Faleke was denied the governorship mandate.
That episode remains one of the most disputed chapters in Kogi, if not Nigeria’s democratic journey. For the majority of indigenes, it left a lingering sense of injustice, an unhealed wound in the conscience of the state. Over ten years on, the clamour for Faleke’s return is being viewed not just as a political necessity, but as a moral obligation to right a historical wrong.
Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke’s political career has been defined by loyalty, administrative acumen, and an unwavering commitment to good governance.
Representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives since 2011, Hon. Faleke has demonstrated uncommon dedication to his constituents, initiating infrastructural projects, facilitating youth empowerment programmes, and championing legislative reforms with tangible impact. His record of accountability and accessibility stands as a model for public service.
Beyond his Lagos success story lies a deep rooted connection to Kogi State. Born and bred as a royal prince in Ekinrin-Adde, Ijumu Local Government Area, Hon. Faleke’s heart remains firmly tied to the socio-. political fortunes of his homeland.
It is this connection, coupled with his proven capacity and experience, that positions him as a bridge between Kogi’s diverse communities, East, West, and Central.
The call for Hon. Faleke’s candidacy in 2027 is not merely a matter of ambition; it is a moral quest to restore balance and fairness in Kogi’s political equation. Political restitution, in this context, is about acknowledging a past injustice and affirming that loyalty, service, and competence still matter in leadership selection.
Hon. Abiodun Faleke’s loyal disposition to the APC and national leadership, particularly his steadfast support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains a source of pride to every son and daughter of Kogi state.
He has remained an unwavering party man, never succumbing to bitterness or defection despite being denied what many Kogites and Nigerians believed was rightfully his in 2015.
Such consistency in character is rare in today’s political landscape and speaks volumes about his temperament, discipline, and political maturity.
Kogi State is richly endowed but continues to grapple with challenges of underdevelopment, youth unemployment, and inter-ethnic distrust. The people’s renewed call for Hon. Faleke represents a collective yearning for leadership that unites rather than divides, one that prioritizes merit over sentiment and competence over sectionalism.
Stakeholders across the three senatorial zones argue that Hon. Faleke possesses the temperament and strategic thinking to drive industrialisation, attract federal attention, and reposition the state for accelerated growth. His experience in Lagos, one of Africa’s most complex and advanced economies gives him a practical understanding of governance that could be transformative for Kogi.
Every citizen of Kogi remains proud of Hon. Faleke’s contributions to the human and physical development of the state, not only through his facilitation of key federal appointments to indigenes across the three senatorial districts, but also through his erudite handling of the 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, which played a pivotal role in delivering the successful APC campaign that produced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most visionary leaders since independence.
As 2027 draws nearer, Kogi stands at a crossroads. The call for Hon. Faleke to contest is both a political and ethical imperative, a call to revisit an unfulfilled mandate and to allow justice to find expression through the democratic process.
If the APC is to consolidate its grip on Kogi State and strengthen internal cohesion, it must heed the voice of the people and present a candidate who embodies loyalty, credibility, and competence. Hon. Abiodun Faleke represents that ideal, a man who has served the party faithfully and whose leadership can restore trust between government and citizens.
The growing momentum behind the movement for Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke’s governorship bid is not just about politics; it is about history seeking closure. It is about a people demanding fairness and a leader whose time, perhaps, has finally come.
In 2027, Kogi has another opportunity to write a new chapter, one anchored on justice, experience, and visionary leadership. The call for Faleke is, indeed, a call for moral and political restitution, and a renewed hope for a better Kogi State.
– Musa Asiru Bakare, a member of APC and political analyst, writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.
