A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. James Faleke, has dismissed claims that there was an agreement for a one-term governorship arrangement in Kogi State involving former Governor Yahaya Bello, current Governor Usman Ododo, and the Presidency.
Faleke described the report as false and misleading, saying no such discussion or agreement ever took place. He made this known on Tuesday in reaction to reports circulating in the media and on social platforms.
According to him, the claim has no basis in fact and should be completely ignored by the public.
Speaking on the matter, Faleke said he was never involved in any conversation or arrangement concerning a one-term deal in Kogi State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I state unequivocally that I never had any discussion, nor was I privy to any conversation, agreement, or arrangement regarding a one-term deal in Kogi State or any related matter,” he said.
He stressed that the story was entirely made up and did not reflect reality.
Faleke added that after the report was published, he received several calls and messages from people seeking to confirm whether he had any role in such an agreement.
“Following the publication of this report, I have been inundated with numerous calls and text messages seeking clarification,” he said.
The lawmaker said the volume of inquiries forced him to speak out publicly in order to clear his name and set the record straight.
“I therefore find it necessary to state clearly and firmly that the report is entirely false, misleading, and without any factual basis,” he added.
“The story is a fabrication and should be disregarded in its entirety.”
Faleke did not mention the source of the report but maintained that there was no truth in the claims linking him to any political deal in Kogi State.
The rumour suggested that the Presidency had directed former Governor Yahaya Bello and his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, to honour a one-term agreement as part of a political understanding in the state.
Such claims often surface in Nigerian politics, especially during transitions of power, as rival groups seek advantage or clarity on future plans.
However, no official statement from the Presidency or the Kogi State Government has supported the claim.
Kogi State has remained politically active since the transition from Yahaya Bello to Usman Ododo. Bello completed two terms as governor before handing over to Ododo, who was elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ododo’s emergence was widely seen as a continuation of Bello’s political structure in the state, which led to speculations about power-sharing arrangements and agreements behind the scenes.
Hon. James Faleke is a lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in Lagos State. Although he does not hold an elected position in Kogi State, he is a well-known political figure with strong ties to the state.
Faleke was the running mate to the late Abubakar Audu during the 2015 Kogi governorship election, which was declared inconclusive before Audu’s death.
Faleke’s strong denial has drawn mixed reactions. Some political observers have praised him for responding quickly and clearly to the allegation.
Others believe the statement highlights the need for more responsible reporting and fact-checking, especially on sensitive political issues.
Supporters of the APC in Kogi have also dismissed the rumour, saying there is no official policy or agreement limiting Governor Ododo to a single term.
The idea of one-term agreements is not new in Nigeria. In some cases, politicians have entered informal understandings to share power or rotate offices.
However, such agreements are rarely documented and often lead to disputes when one party decides to seek re-election.
With Faleke’s denial, attention now shifts back to governance in Kogi State and the performance of Governor Usman Ododo.
For now, Faleke has made his position clear, insisting that there was no one-term deal, no presidential directive, and no involvement on his part.