2027: Can we try James Faleke in Lagos west? by Kola Amzat

Just like any other upper chamber around the globe, the senate chamber is home to politicians of the first eleven. It’s a hallowed chamber for very tested and trusted politicians who are vast in the intricacies and dynamics of lawmaking, as well as camaraderie that often take place at plenary sessions.

Of course, there is no debate about this. It’s no brainer! If you don’t belong to the senate, you don’t belong there and don’t go there.

Otherwise, you get frustrated throughout your tenure, even, despite the humongous packages and paraphernalia of office associated with the office.

The Senate Chamber in America, the bastion of democracy, is often populated by former governors, very experienced members of House of Representatives and other politicians who might have long passed the test of political Rubicon.    

In recent times, particularly since the turn of 4th Republic, similar development is equally taking place in the Nigeria senate.

Nigeria former governors, particularly those who have completed their second term tenures in office are making senate chamber home, and this is fast assisting the nation democracy to develop and stabilize, particularly, rendering their governance initiatives and knowledge in the service of the nation, as well as the experience they’d benefited from the years of deep and interaction with their respective members of state Houses of Assembly.   

Meanwhile, the crux of this Piece remains: of the three senators presently representing Lagos at the upper chamber, Senator Oluranti Adebule, a former deputy governor of the state is not pulling her weight as a distinguished senator.

Considering the fact that madam is representing the biggest senatorial districts in Nigeria, with far-reaching implications for the ruling party-APC, on account of less-quality and simply put-appalling representation, it behooves on the party hierarchy and all other stakeholders in the state to rise to the challenge, with a view to effecting a change in the forthcoming general elections.      

Since her inauguration more than two years ago, she’s somehow been lost in the crowd. Her contributions in the past two years have been very minimal, a development that has made the senatorial districts completely overwhelmed and drowned in the midst of vociferous crowd and other vibrant, focus and very articulate and resourceful distinguished senators from other states who indeed know their onions and always in the quest to push their bills through.  

It’s not by empowerment for the downtrodden. It goes beyond doling largesse out to people at the senatorial districts.

It’s by projecting the image and brand of the senatorial districts where it matters most-national platform, as well as in the international community.    

Nigeria occupies a strategic place in Sub-Saharan Africa and, so her lawmakers, particularly, at the upper chamber should do.

The 109 senators must at all-time be distinguished in character, carrying themselves with poise and elegance, radiating confidence, fearless and articulate in presentation at plenary sessions, and other national and international fora where they often represent the country.

Indeed, this is supposed to be the minimum standard. If a senator is not imbued with the above attributes, it’s pointless to aspire to the upper chamber.

Gladly, Lagos state, particularly, Lagos West senatorial districts is not devoid of men of sterling qualities-courage, panache, ideas & knowledge who could stand toe-to-toe with their senator colleagues all across the country.  

James Abiodun Faleke has been a delight to watch over the last 12 years that he’s been representing Ikeja Federal Constituents. He’s been holding his own in that maddening crowd chamber of about 360 people from across the federation.

In the House of Representatives, he’s indeed a factor to be reckoned with. In the midst of that unyielding crowd, Faleke always has his own way.

He is a rallying point for some of the caucuses in that difficult lower chamber. He’s indeed in the national consciousness as his influence transcends his South-west geo-political zone.

Indeed, he’s one of the few moving forces in today’s House of Representatives.

His empowerment initiatives at Ikeja Federal Constituents over the last 6 or 7 years have been simply TOP-NOTCH.

Nigerians recollect that the heavily built law maker was practically denied by Saraki and coy to ascend to governor’s office in Kogi state in 2015 governorship election when his principal, Audu Abubakar suddenly collapsed and died after he had won the governorship election, and Faleke ought to have been sworn in, but out rightly denied for the reasons yet to be disclosed to Nigerians.

Faleke, one of today’s doyen of House of Representatives could easily and seamlessly walk in to Upper Chamber as Senator representing Lagos West senatorial districts during the forthcoming general elections in 2027.

 This is the least compensation that could be conceded to him after years of meritorious and commendable services to APC in Lagos, and at the federal level.

After the exit of Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan as senator of Lagos West, the senatorial districts indeed must have another colourful, resourceful, bold and a rallying point with capacity to dominantly hold sway in that senatorial districts.

Faleke deserves to be seriously CONSIDERED by the power that be!                         

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.