₦airaland Forum

THE FALEKE FACTOR: Why the Plots to Undermine Okunland’s Political Anchor Will Fail

For years, the political landscape of Okunland in Kogi State was defined by a frustratingly familiar pattern: intense, deep-seated bickering among its elites. Driven by clashing political inclinations, this divergence of interests didn't just alienate the leaders from one another—it polarized their followers in ways more toxic than anyone could have anticipated, stalling collective progress for the region.

Then came Hon. James Abiodun Faleke (JAF).
Through sheer doggedness, the man who first rose to central prominence in Kogi as the running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audi in the historic 2015 governorship election managed to achieve the near-impossible: bringing erstwhile political foes together under a unified vision.

Despite the deeply disappointing and controversial outcome of the 2015 election cycle, Faleke did not pack his bags and abandon his home state. Instead, he remained fiercely committed to its development. Irrespective of what detractors might say, his impact on the political and socioeconomic well-being of Kogi State cannot be downplayed or casually wished away. From structural empowerments to human capital development, his footprint remains visible across the landscape.

Yet, over the years, we have witnessed a recurring trend of politicians who, rather than acknowledge the obvious, continue to foolishly deny Faleke's political relevance.

Living in delusion is permitted. However, intentional and deliberate mischief soaked in conspiracy to undermine the status and relevance of this great Okun son is an exercise in absolute futility.

Political history is replete with betrayal, but the most recent chapter is unfolding right now in Kogi West. It features a particularly bitter irony: individuals whose very political growth and current stature are anchored on the mentorship, goodwill, and direct support of JAF are now colluding with external power mongers.

The bait? A phantom, unwritten promise of a governorship ticket in 2031—supposedly conditional on the incumbent, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, securing a second term.

The chief architect of this scheme—an Igbagun-born legislator—needs to take note and be guided: your schemes, late-night alignments, and conspiracies are not secrets.

This legislator and his co-travelers will soon discover, perhaps too late, that the fluid dynamics of politics are vastly different from the transactional nature of business. Buying loyalty from external forces on the promise of future political crowns is a currency that historically depreciates to zero the moment it is spent.

You cannot build a durable political future on the foundation of ingratitude and the betrayal of the house that sheltered you.

How far these ingrates will go remains to be seen. But in the grand theater of Kogi politics, time has always been the ultimate revealer of things. When the ephemeral promises of 2031 evaporate into thin air, the conspirators will find themselves politically stranded, having traded a genuine legacy of community leadership for a fleeting mirage. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke remains an institution in Okunland; trying to pull down the pillar holding up the roof is a dangerous game where the roof usually collapses on the saboteur!

THE DRUNKEN GAVEL: How Power Intoxication Triggered the Arrest of a Kogi Journalist

The line between public service and authoritarian overreach has always been thin, but on June 11, 2026, that line was entirely erased in Kogi State.

In a chilling demonstration of ego overriding the rule of law, Opeyemi Owoeye, a renowned journalist, found himself detained on the orders of Hon. Leke Abejide, a prominent member of the House of Representatives. Owoeye’s supposed crime? Functioning as a member of the Fourth Estate—the societal watchdog meant to keep men like Abejide accountable.

The friction stems from a published news report detailing the highly controversial and heavily criticized role Hon. Abejide allegedly played in the recently concluded Kogi West Senatorial District primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political primaries are public affairs, and allegations of internal irregularities, high-handedness, or imposition are standard fare for political journalism. Yet, rather than utilizing civil channels—such as publishing a rejoinder, hosting a press briefing, or seeking legal recourse for defamation—the federal lawmaker chose the path of state-backed intimidation.

The arrest contains a glaring, fundamental absurdity that underscores the sheer vindictiveness of the action:
Opeyemi Owoeye was not even the author of the report.
The piece explicitly carried the writer's name and an accessible email address for inquiries or feedback. Yet, in a frantic attempt to silence local press coverage and stamp out dissent, the lawmaker’s wrath was directed at an independent journalist on the ground.

This incident lays bare a systemic phobia for criticism that plagues many within Nigeria's political class. When public officials view accountability as an insult and a reporter’s pen as an existential threat, democracy is fundamentally compromised.

To understand the breakdown of civic norms in this scenario, consider the proper, legal route of handling press grievances versus the authoritarian approach deployed here:

The breakdown of civic norms in this scenario highlights two starkly contrasting approaches to media relations. While The Democratic Path (Rule of Law) prioritizes correcting the public record with facts by engaging directly with authors and issuing formal, fact-based rejoinders,

The Drunken Gavel Path (Power Overreach) chooses to bypass standard legal procedures. Instead of democratic engagement, this authoritarian approach deploys security agents to arrest prominent journalists, aiming to send a message of fear and intimidate the local press into absolute compliance.

The arrest of Owoeye is a direct violation of the protections guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution. The media does not exist to serve as a public relations firm for politicians; its duty is to the public.

When a legislator—a lawmaker whose primary responsibility is to uphold the constitution—uses his position to orchestrate the unlawful arrest of a journalist, it sends a dangerous signal to the entire media landscape in the State l. It says that proximity to power grants immunity from scrutiny.

If allowed to stand without consequence, this display of power intoxication will only embolden other public officers to treat the press not as partners in governance, but as targets for state-sponsored harassment.

Civil society organizations, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and human rights advocates must demand a full retraction and apology from Hon. Leke Abejide. Power is a transient privilege, not a weapon to be swung at the very citizens it is meant to protect.