Fallout of Kogi governorship race: Group tells Faleke to hands-off Ikeja Reps ticket

A political, but non partisan group, Concerned citizens of Ikeja, has admonished the representatives of Ikeja Federal Constituency, Hon. James Faleke to show appreciation to the people of Ikeja who gave him the opportunity to serve them in the House of Representatives despite his state of origin and not insult them by attempting to return to the seat after going to contest the deputy governorship seat in Kogi State, his state of origin.

The group in a statement signed by its convener, Wale Fagbenro, advised Faleke not expect to be accepted back by the people despite attempts to blind them through empowerment programe.

The group wondered why the House of Representatives member would want to insult the sensitivity of the people of Ikeja with his attempt to return to the House of Representatives, after his failed attempt to become the deputy governor and later governor of his home state of Kogi.

They said, “Save for the death of Audu Abubakar, Faleke would have long gone to Kogi State and be serving as Deputy Governor.

“Moreso, Faleke would have emerged the governor of the state if the leaders had not insisted that Governor Yahaya Bello would be their candidate.

Where did Faleke leave the people of Ikeja that elected him into the House of Representatives, when he ran to contest in Kogi State?” they asked.

While insisting that there are quite a lot of posers for Faleke to answer, the group wondered about the source of the funds that Faleke used in prosecuting his political campaign in Kogi State.

“Where did he get the money he was spending to empower the people of Kogi State in the build-up to the governorship election in Kogi State, what are his achievements in Ikeja area of the state since he got to the green chamber seven years ago.

“People have not forgotten Faleke’s years as chairman of Ojodu Local Government. To say the least, this is enough for a man that has openly made it clear that he wants to go and rule his home state.

“The office should be left for the real people of Lagos and not those that would be representing an area in a state, but whose heart is totally in another state.

The wool has finally been removed from our eyes, the people of Lagos State are now ready to do without the Falekes of this world,” they said.

Describing the empowerment programme that he held for the people of the constituency on Tuesday as deceit, the group said, “That the National Assembly is on vacation is not an opportunity for the likes of Faleke to concoct lies to deceive the people of Ikeja Federal Constituency, who have vowed to free themselves from the shackles of some politicians that have nothing good to offer.

“Today he has come with the ace of deceit by calling the entire federal constituency to the sham of an empowerment program which is like flossing over an infested wound.”

Describing the materials set apart for the empowerment as insult on the people who gave him the opportunity to lead them for 17 years of their lives, they also wondered about, “How much can the people of Ikeja take from the man who has represented them 17years with no meaningful or substantial thing to show for it.

“Where is the empowerment in the above? Is this all that Ikeja deserves in 17 years of stewardship? Where is the landmark Legislation? Where is Youth Empowerment in Ikeja? Is it about the handouts? Where are the jobs? The insult on our collective psyche and the abuse of our youths by this show of shame is very condemnable,” they said.

The group also put a lie to the alleged claim by Faleke that he has been endorsed for third term in office by the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), apparently referring to Jagaban Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to them, “The shenanigan from Faleke is not only to be discarded by members of the public, but it should be condemned by followers of events in the ruling APC.

“Just about a forthnight ago, while addressing a mammoth crowd of the members of the party in its ‘camp ground’ in ACME, Ikeja, Lagos, Tinubu disassociated himself from the ‘babasope’ syndrome, and made it clear that only those the people want would emerge as candidates for the various political offices.

“He made it clear that the party would go through direct primaries and warned the aspirants against dropping his names. So, where did the endorsement claims of Faleke come from, how could he have mentioned names of some leaders of the party in the constituency as those that have endorsed him?” they asked.