Why Kogi-Born James Faleke Must Thread Carefully in Lagos
James Faleke’s directive ordering Ikeja residents to support Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat for governor is not merely arrogant. It is a direct insult to the intelligence, dignity, and political independence of Lagosians.
Who exactly does Faleke think he is to dictate to the people of Ikeja who they should support in 2027? Since when did Lagos become the private estate of a handful of entitled politicians who believe leadership can be allocated by decree?
The people of Ikeja are not political robots. They are not puppets awaiting instructions from self-appointed power brokers. They are enlightened, politically conscious citizens fully capable of deciding their political future without being lectured by anyone especially by a politician whose ancestral and political roots are in Kogi State.
Faleke must be reminded of a simple truth, Lagos politics is not his inheritance. Political relevance in Lagos does not translate to ownership of Lagos. If he is so determined to play kingmaker, perhaps he should return to Kogi and test the depth of his political influence there rather than attempting to impose candidates on Lagosians.
That Faleke appears to believe Ikeja people will simply queue behind Hamzat because he issued an endorsement reflects the worst kind of political arrogance an outdated, anti-democratic mindset rooted in entitlement, godfatherism, and contempt for the electorate.
Lagosians are weary of recycled power arrangements. They are tired of political imposition. They are tired of being treated as though their votes exist only to ratify decisions already taken in elite backrooms.
If Hamzat wishes to run for governor, then let his ambition rise or fall on its own merit not on the pronouncements of political overlords who behave as though Lagos belongs to them.
Faleke’s remarks once again expose the dangerous entitlement culture that has infected segments of Lagos politics, a small clique convinced it can endlessly rotate power among itself while the people remain silent spectators.
That era is over.
Let Faleke hear this clearly, Ikeja people are not stupid, they are not docile, they are not political property and they will not surrender their future because one politician believes his voice should determine their choice.
The 2027 governorship election will not be decided by coercion.
It will not be decided by endorsements from self-appointed kingmakers.
It will not be decided by inherited political structures.
It will be decided by Lagosians and if Faleke cannot respect that democratic reality, then perhaps the political arena he should concern himself with is Kogi not Lagos.
