Politics, like a house, has landlords and tenants. And truly, when a landlord begins the renovation of his house, every tenant who has overstayed begins to shake. This is exactly the reality playing out in Kogi State politics today.
The All Progressives Congress led government in Kogi, under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and with the influence of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is visibly unsettled. The reason is not far fetched. They are witnessing the deliberate realignment and rebuilding of the Audu/Faleke Political Family, a structure rooted in history, service and loyalty to the people of Kogi State.
A strategic meeting held yesterday further heightened this tension. In attendance were major stakeholders of the movement: Prof. Isa Daniel, Director General of the Audu/Faleke Campaign Council, Hon. Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, Honourable Minister of Steel Development and son of our late leader, Prince Abubakar Audu, who was once the leader of Kogi APC and North Central and a close ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Baba Bisi Akande; Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, the leader of the Audu/Faleke Political Family in Kogi State and Hon. Emmanuel Ekele, a formidable stakeholder from Kogi East.
Instead of responding with maturity, the camp of the current administration has chosen the path of noise. Their response has been a series of press releases laced with foul language and direct attacks on Hon. James Faleke and the entire Audu/Faleke family.
But the Audu/Faleke Political Family will not be distracted. We will not descend into petty politics. Our focus remains on strategy and on the grassroots. We are reawakening and reorganizing the supporters who were weakened after the imposition of Alhaji Yahaya Bello in 2015, following the painful and untimely death of Prince Abubakar Audu.
Nigerians will recall that Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, who was the running mate to Prince Audu, was denied the mandate that rightfully belonged to the ticket. At the time, the system led by the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari imposed Yahaya Bello and went on to inherit the votes earned by the Audu/Faleke ticket.
Despite that betrayal, Hon. James Faleke did not abandon the structure. He continued his political engagement in both Lagos and Kogi, sustaining and managing those he could reach. Today, he is not only influential in the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but he also serves as the Head of the Tinubu Re-election Campaign.
Beyond national politics, he has continued to give back to Kogi State and to the Audu/Faleke family. It is on record that at least 70% of those who genuinely worked with the Audu/Faleke structure in 2015 have been rewarded with federal appointments and empowerment and the process is still ongoing. We sincerely thank him for what he has done, what he is currently doing and what he will do in the future for our people.
The Audu/Faleke Political Family remains focused and united. Our energy is committed to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to ensuring victory for all our National Assembly candidates in the 2027 elections. We will not trade strategy for insults, nor will we exchange purpose for noise.
Umar Isah(Radical)
Head of Media
Audu/Faleke Political Family