Faleke Desperation: Between Party Supremacy and Inordinate Ambition

By Gaminana Abdulkareem

If many of you noticed, I have refrain from commenting on the political conundrum that befell Kogi state since the death of Abubakar Audu. It was a mark of respect for the dead but since I can't be more Catholic than the Pope (Audu's son is already on the political podium, leaving no time at all to mourn his dad).

I always believe in allowing every human to take his aspirations to any length he/she wants in as much as it's within the ambit of the law and that was why I supported Bukola Saraki for Senate President and Yakubu Dogara for Speaker (though I was initially with Gbaja ). Many of my social critics friends were shouting 'party supremacy'  all over the cyberspace. I still hold that believe that Hon James Faleke has the right to aspire to replace Audu on the APC ticket.

Now that APC has decided on Yahaya Bello as their candidate,  I expect the major proponent of party discipline, party supremacy and respect for the party Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call his boy to order and ask him to obey the party or are there some selected people that should not obey party supremacy? I also wonder why many people especially my yoruba friends that shouted party supremacy during Saraki time kept quiet this time around! Or is Tinubu /Faleke above the party? They better come out now and speak for party supremacy or bury their heads in shame!.

I believe Hon Faleke representing Ikeja federal constituency in the HOR should know the law. How can a so-called Governor-elect (as he calls himself)  nominates Muhammed Audu as running mate? Can he have a running mate when he's already elected as claimed by him? Can a Governor-elect even nominates someone as deputy when he has not been sworn in? I wonder why some otherwise intelligent people take leave of their senses when they are in power/struggling for power?

I have been privileged to see INEC nomination form given to political parties. A candidates voters card number, polling unit and ward with address are to be entered in the form. Did Faleke enter the same address and polling unit he used to fill the form for House of Representatives for the deputy Governorship race? Or did he changed his address? If he changed the address and transfer his PVC to Kogi state, then Ikeja federal constituency has no representative in the House of Reps ! INEC should without delay declare that seat vacant and Conduct election within 90days to fill the vacancy while Hon James Faleke can continue to pursue his case in the court of law as an ordinary citizen.

Let me state it clearly that I have been at the forefront of powershift since 2003 in Kogi state and thank God I'm still alive to witness this moment. It's not over cos we still have supplementary election in 4days time (December 5th ) as well as the eventual  swearing in God's willing January 27th, 2016. Let's keep the faith as Kogi state is on the threshold of greatness.