KOGI WEST: A CALL FOR TRUTH, PEACE, AND RESTRAINT – Cdre. Folusho Daniel (Rtd.)
The late General Sani Abacha was once quoted as saying that “any crisis that lasts more than a few weeks has the hand of government in it.” Whether or not one agrees entirely with that assertion, when viewed against the lingering crisis surrounding the Kogi West Senatorial primary, one cannot help but conclude that the hands of certain privileged and powerful individuals are deeply involved.
It is unfortunate that enormous financial resources, which ought to have been invested in the development of Kogi State, are instead being wasted on endless protests, media campaigns, and press conferences. Valuable energy, influence, and political goodwill that should be directed toward advancing the welfare of our people are now being expended in attempts to overturn the outcome of a single primary election. One would think that the survival of Kogi State depends solely on the Kogi West Senatorial primary.
The rhetoric has become increasingly dangerous. While some are issuing threats of violence, others are invoking destruction and chaos, as though Kogi West were the personal estate of a few individuals. This dangerous narrative must stop. The time has come to sound a clear note of warning to those who believe they own Kogi West. They must understand that no one has a monopoly of lawlessness. What every well-meaning son and daughter of Kogi West desires is a peaceful, stable, and secure senatorial district. If Kogi West is set ablaze today over an ordinary primary election, no one will ultimately be spared the consequences.
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I continue to ask myself: Why are some people willing to destroy everything over a Senate primary? More disturbing is the fact that many of those fueling the crisis know the truth, yet they deliberately spread falsehood, calling white black and black white simply to serve selfish interests. When did we sink to this level? What happened to integrity? What happened to honesty? Today, people tell blatant lies without the slightest sense of shame or remorse.
What values are we passing on to our children?
Even more painful is the fact that among those promoting falsehood are pastors, imams, Alhajis, church elders, and other respected community leaders. We proudly identify ourselves as deeply religious people, yet our religious convictions appear meaningless when confronted with the demands of justice, truth, integrity, and fairness.
This is not who we should be. The people of Kogi West must understand that if they allow their land to become a battlefield, they should also prepare for the devastation that inevitably follows conflict—devastation that may take decades to repair.
While Kogi East and Kogi Central are largely pursuing peace and development, Kogi West appears consumed by internal strife, publicly tearing down some of its finest sons and daughters. Many communities across Nigeria would consider themselves fortunate to have a representative with the political stature and national influence of Hon. James Faleke. Sadly, in Kogi West, some seek to pull him down. But the truth remains that no individual made Faleke. God raises leaders, and every orchestrated attempt to destroy him has failed and will continue to fail because such efforts are fundamentally misguided.
Kogi West must choose the path of peace, love, truth, and honesty. Whatever we do today becomes the history by which future generations will judge us. Every individual must ask himself or herself whether they are contributing to building the Kogi State of our dreams or merely acting as an agent of destruction. Ultimately, power belongs to God alone. He gives it to whomever He chooses, at His own appointed time. No amount of intimidation, manipulation, or falsehood can overturn His divine will.
Let us therefore embrace peace, uphold truth, respect due process, and place the collective interest of Kogi West above personal ambition. That is the only path to lasting progress.
Cdre. Folusho Daniel (Rtd.)
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 7TH 2026)
