By Musa Bakare.
In the evolving political landscape of Kogi State, one name stands out with unshakable consistency, strategic brilliance, and undeniable impact – Rt. Hon. Dr. James Abiodun Faleke.
His influence across Kogi State transcends politics, becoming a movement of empowerment, development, and unwavering loyalty to his people. His efforts were not just political stories, they are life testimonies etched in the hearts of Kogi people through service, sacrifice, and sincerity.
Dr. Faleke’s work did not begin with fanfare nor end with election seasons; it has been continuous, deliberate, compassionate, and directly aimed at addressing the real needs of Kogi people. While others make noise, he quietly builds. While others chase publicity, he focuses on impact. And while many politicians disappear after elections, Faleke has remained the constant and consistent voice, dependable hand, and pillar the people trust.
He has facilitated thousands of empowerment opportunities for Kogi indigenes including youths, women, artisans, market women, farmers, and professionals. His efforts includes the countless youths empowered with job opportunities in federal agencies and private institutions, sponsorship of hundreds of Kogites in small and medium scale entrepreneurs through financial grants, seamless mentorship networks for youths aspiring for careers in politics, business, ICT, media, and engineering – many successful individuals trace their rise to Faleke’s kindness and support.
Education has been at the core of Dr. Faleke’s transformative agenda. Scholarship programs covering tuition fees for students across Nigerian universities, support for WAEC/NECO registrations for hundreds of secondary school students, distribution of books, school materials, and learning tools to underserved communities and facilitation of educational grants lifting many brilliant but financially challenged students into higher institutions.
Thousands of graduates across Nigeria bear the stamp of Faleke’s generous support.
Though never occupying an executive office in Kogi, Faleke’s impact rivals that of office holders. Through federal interventions, personal funding, and partnerships, he has contributed to rural electrification that restored power to several neglected communities, water projects including boreholes, motorized water systems, and repairs of broken water channels, road rehabilitation efforts in long neglected areas, sponsorship of community halls, ICT centres, and town hall refurbishments. These are quiet but powerful signs of grassroots development commitment.
Understanding the unifying power of education, Faleke has sponsored the annual quiz and debate competitions among secondary schools across the Kogi, personal support to emerging sports talents seeking exposure nationally and internationally.
For many Kogi youths, Faleke is not just a leader but a father and a lifter of dreams.
For years, Hon. Faleke has invested in the health and welfare of Kogi people through free medical outreach programs in rural areas, support for urgent medical bills, surgeries, and maternity needs, distribution of relief materials during crises including floods and emergencies – Millions of naira contributed to the Pan-Okun COVID-19 relief intervention project.
Families across Kogi continue to testify to lifesaving interventions made discreetly by Hon. Faleke.
Politically no leader from Kogi West has provided as much consistency and stability as Faleke. He has ensured that Kogi have a strong, respected voice in national politics by fighting for fairness, justice, equity, and proper representation, remaining loyal to the APC through turbulent times, thereby strengthening the party in Kogi State and keeping Kogi strategically connected to national decision-making corridors.
He has been instrumental in securing numerous appointments and opportunities through Federal ministries placements, positions in Customs, Immigration, NSCDC, NDLEA, opportunities across Federal Colleges, Polytechnics, and Universities, employment openings in private industries.
Many Kogi families today owe their improved livelihood to doors opened by Hon. Faleke.
His support also extends to financial and moral support for churches and mosques renovations, sponsorship of cultural festivals and community events promoting unity and heritage.
Faleke remains a great bridge builder across ethnic, religious, and communal lines in Kogi State.
Perhaps the greatest hallmark of Hon. James Faleke is his humility. He helps without cameras, supports without seeking praise, and uplifts without turning people into political capital. From paying medical bills, rescuing widows, sponsoring community weddings to supporting orphanages—his kindness flows quietly but powerfully.
Everything Faleke has done over the years prepares Kogi State for a greater and total transformation. His track record demonstrates capacity, compassion, consistency, vision, credibility, and a deep understanding of development governance.
As 2027 approaches, one truth becomes clearer, Faleke’s impact has echoed across communities, households, institutions, markets, and political arenas. Kogi State stands at the edge of a historic opportunity; an opportunity to be led by a man who has served without title, given without power, and uplifted without conditions.
This is the man Kogi has been waiting for; this is the leader whose impact cannot be denied. This is Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, the people’s choice, the people’s voice, and the future of Kogi State.
– Musa Asiru Bakare, Member of APC and political analyst, writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.
