THE FUTILITY OF CRYING OVER SPILT MILK: AN OPEN LETTER TO HON. BAMIDELE ARO ON THE KOGI WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT CONTEST
By Ponle Adeniyi
ponleadeniyi457@gmail.com
As the political landscape of Kogi West Senatorial District settles into a rhythm of governance and strategic positioning ahead of future cycles, a puzzling and altogether unnecessary sideshow continues to distract stakeholders. At the center of this needless drama is Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro, a respected figure whose recent public postures and media narratives have left many wondering exactly what script he is reading from.
In politics, contests are inevitable, but so are outcomes. When an adult willingly enters a race, participates in its processes, and subsequently takes a definitive bow, the honorable path is to move forward. Unfortunately, the current back-and-forth surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kogi West Senatorial ticket suggests a refusal to accept reality—a disposition that serves no one, least of all Hon. Aro himself.
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For the sake of historical accuracy and to clear the deliberate fog being generated in the public space, it is necessary to reiterate the true circumstances of the Kogi West APC Senatorial contest.
The primary election was conducted under the watchful eyes of party officials, security agencies, and the media. Following the conclusion of the processes, Hon. Bamidele Aro made a clear, unforced, and public decision to withdraw from the race. This was not done in a corner; his statements following the primary were documented, acknowledging the party’s direction and effectively closing that chapter of the contest.
Every key political player, stakeholder, and traditional institution across the length and breadth of Kogi West knows this truth. It is an open secret. Therefore, the sudden emergence of a revisionist narrative attempting to alter the timeline and facts of a concluded matter is not just baffling; it is deeply disingenuous.
One is compelled to ask the golden question: What exactly does Hon. Aro hope to gain from this avoidable back-and-forth over an issue that has been constitutionally and politically sealed?
Is it a quest for relevance, or is it the classic symptom of a deeper political malaise? To keep throwing tantrums in the media and trying to whip up sentiment where none exists is an exercise in futility. It takes a profound level of wisdom to recognize when a chapter has closed and to appreciate the absolute uselessness of wailing over spilt milk. The milk is gone; the ground has soaked it up. No amount of media maneuvering or revisionist press releases will alter the reality of the APC ticket in Kogi West.
The current political posturing being exhibited by Hon. Aro increasingly looks like a classic case of Stockholm syndrome—where a victim begins to empathize with, or rely on, the very forces that profit from their predicament. This constant agitation, legal chasing of shadows, and media warfare is exhausting. More importantly, it is detrimental to both his personal health and his financial well-being. Politics in Nigeria is an expensive venture, and chasing a mirage is the fastest way to drain resources that could otherwise secure a comfortable future.
Hon. Aro must open his eyes to the reality of the company he keeps. The bitter truth is that anyone currently egging him on to continue this fruitless crusade is not his friend. They are enemies disguised as allies.
The political ecosystem is filled with “political entrepreneurs” and rent seekers—individuals who thrive on artificial crises. They do not care about Hon. Aro’s reputation, his health, or his bank account. To them, his continued grievances are simply a business opportunity, a chance to collect consultation fees, organizing funds, and legal retainers while feeding him false hopes of a judicial or political miracle.
It is our sincere hope and prayer that the Almighty opens the inner eyes of Hon. Bamidele Aro. May he receive the clarity to see beyond the flattering antics of these political jobbers and sycophants.
Kogi West needs peace, unity, and focused representation. The primary is over, the candidate is known, and the party has moved on. It is time for Hon. Aro to call his dogs of war to order, accept the reality of the situation with dignity, and preserve his hard-earned resources and peace of mind for future endeavors. Continuing on this current trajectory is a road to nowhere.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 6TH 2026)
