HOUSE of Representatives member James Abiodun Faleke has alleged of a plot by his political enemies to pit him against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said those behind the plot has concluded plans to report him to the APC leadership, including his political mentor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over an illeged involvement in anti-party activity.
According to him, a news conference was held in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital on June 28th where a decision was taken to report the alleged involvement in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Watching off his hands over the alleged involvement in the ADC or any other political party, the Ikeja Federal Constituency representative said he remained committed to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Relying on information, Faleke accused some agents of the Kogi State government of being behind the plot to run him down politically.
He said: “I also have it on authority that the same agents of the state government have planned to submit a petition to the APC NWC (National Working Committee) and copy my leader and mentor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I’m into anti-party activities in Kogi State.
“I, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, remain a loyal founding member of the APC and one of the members representing the good people of Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos State.”
The lawmaker said he remained his party’s running mate in the 2015 governorship election in the Confluence State to Prince Abubakar Audu until his demise a day after the poll.
“All Nigerians are aware of what happened in Kogi and how the present state government came to be via the courts,” he said.
Faleke described as illogical a press statement credited to one Dr. John alleging him of sponsoring and imposing chairman on the Kogi State chapter of the ADC, wondering how he could foist a leader on a party to which he never belonged.
Faleke said: “Some agents of the state are the sole sponsors of this falsehood to whip up sentiments. The press release stated rightly in paragraph 3 that I represent Ikeja Federal Constituency and that I’m not a member of ADC. How then can a non-member of a party sponsor a state chairman?”
He accused Governor Yahaya Bello of frustrating every move made to reconcile aggrieved APC members in the state.
His words: “It’s on record that several efforts by the APC leadership then to reconcile the Audu/Faleke group with the Governor Yahaya Bello were turned down by the governor himself.
“The APC NWC set up two powerful committees to reconcile the two factions in Kogi, but unfortunately, GYB (Governor Yahaya Bello) refused all efforts.
“It is also on record that the Audu/Faleke team approached the Governor of Jigawa before the congress to help intervene, but there was no luck.
“Apart from sending state APC leaders to GYB, I personally sent messages to him to see the need for reconciliation with the Audu/Faleke group before the congress in his state, but he refused.”
He accused the Governor Bello-led government of being afraid of its shadow and thereby trying to divert attention by urged those peddling falsehood about him, urging him to dissipate his energies to develop the state, rather than crying wolf where none existed.
Faleke said: “The Audu/Faleke name has become a political brand name in Kogi. The state government should pay salaries and develop the state to enhance the victory of APC in the next elections.
“Before my return to Lagos, my plan was to ensure that the Audu/Faleke group was integrated back into a government they all laboured and spent their resources in bringing on board.
“But, unfortunately, the death of our principal left a big vacuum that can’t be filled. Instead of the state government to be magnanimous in victory, they left out all those who worked for the party and appointed PDP members into offices and also refused all efforts at reconciliation.
“Unfortunately, some of the Audu/Faleke members see my return to Lagos as a major loss for the party in the state, while some think that I have betrayed them.
“Please note that the aggrieved members of APC in Kogi are very great men and women who are old enough to decide what they want.
“I enjoin those peddling and sponsoring rumors about my involvement in the internal affairs of another political party to retract such. Those agents of the state government should have a rethink and use their energy at ensuring smooth governance in the state that can bring victory for the party.”
