In Yoruba wisdom, the Àgídìgbo drum is more than an instrument. It is a metaphor for society itself. Its deep, complex rhythms demand more than hearing; they require interpretation. As the proverb teaches: “Lówè lówè là á lùlù Àgídìgbo, ọlọ́gbọ́n ni bá a ní jó” (“The Àgídìgbo is played with attentive care; only the wise dance to its rhythm”). This ancient truth exposes a crisis in modern Nigerian politics: too many leaders hear noise, not music. Too few possess the wisdom to decode the people’s silent struggles.
Okun Nation is an Àgídìgbo. Its heartbeat pulses with layered aspirations: economic dignity, equitable development, cultural pride, and justice. Yet these rhythms often go unheard. What distinguishes Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke is his demonstrable capacity to listen beneath the surface, thereby transforming perceived noise into actionable policy. His political career is a study in how wisdom, not volume, drives enduring impact.
Faleke’s legislative footprint reveals a leader who decodes unmet needs. His advocacy for rural infrastructure in Kogi West: roads, water projects, electrification; addresses the unsung rhythm of grassroots suffering. When others chase ribbon-cuttings in urban centers, he amplifies the drumbeats from forgotten villages. This isn’t populism; it’s diagnostic governance.
What about his economic empathy in action? The Àgídìgbo’s rhythm carries the tempo of survival: jobs, skills, enterprise. Faleke’s youth empowerment programs and SME support initiatives reflect an understanding that economic despair is a silent scream. By creating pathways to self-reliance, he doesn’t just offer aid, he orchestrates agency.
Moreover, Fakeke’s strategic advocacy is like dancing in complex time. Navigating Nigeria’s political orchestra requires a conductor’s precision. Faleke’s inputs reveal rare duality: local authenticity fused with national influence. Whether securing federal projects and appointments for Ikeja constituents and Kogi Westerners or negotiating party consensus during high-stakes primaries, he proves wisdom means mastering multiple rhythms simultaneously without losing the core melody of his people’s needs.
Wisdom wins!
In an era of hollow sloganeering, Faleke’s approach is radically substantive. He grasps that the Àgídìgbo’s true power lies not in its volume, but in its resonance.
This alignment between pulse and policy is why mere “experience” falls short. What Okun people need is the ọlọ́gbọ́n: the wise drummer who transforms rhythm into results.
James Abiodun Faleke’s wisdom is proven. His empathy is documented. But, even the most attuned drummer cannot perform without a functional instrument. Herein lies the call: For Faleke to succeed at scale, he requires unified backing. Not passive goodwill, but active coalition-building; from traditional institutions to youth movements, to amplify his capacity to execute.
To conclude, the proverb’s brilliance is its timelessness. The Àgídìgbo test separates performers from politicians. James Faleke has shown he listens to the drum others ignore. He dances to rhythms others misstep. With Okun Nation’s consolidated support, he won’t just play politics, he’ll compose progress. And in that symphony, we’ll finally hear the future Kogi has been waiting for.
– Akinbobola Otitoju, PhD.
Abuja.
