There is a saying among our people that gratitude is the memory of the heart. A man who forgets yesterday will hardly understand tomorrow. In politics, as in life, YESTERDAY matters. It matters who stood for you when you were down. It matters who opened a door for you when every other door was closed. It matters who forgave you when forgiveness was not easy.
This is why the story of this particular politician has become a lesson for many in Kogi West. When he was in a different party, he did not hide his anger. He spoke ills of the governor. He attacked his character, his policies, and his intentions. His words were sharp, his tone was bitter, and his posture was that of an enemy. Many watched and wondered where such bitterness came from.
Then politics took its usual turn. He defected to the governor’s party. In a normal setting, defection should come with humility. It should come with a new understanding and a willingness to build. The governor, in his wisdom, chose the path of peace. He did not repay evil for evil. He forgave him. He welcomed him. He went further to give him what many loyal party members had laboured for over the years. He gave him the senate ticket.
That singular act was not just politics. It was grace. It was a fatherly gesture. It was a message that “in this party, we do not keep enemies. We build brothers.” Many party faithfuls accepted it, even when it was painful. They swallowed their disappointment because they trusted the judgement of the governor and believed the man had truly changed.
But what happened next has left many speechless. When he got to the Senate, instead of using that exalted office to serve the people, to attract development, and to strengthen the party, he returned to his old ways. He started speaking ills of the man who has helped him again. He started speaking ills of those loyal to him. The same mouth that begged for forgiveness became the mouth that sowed division. The same man who was lifted became the man who tried to pull his lifters down.
Now, he has lost a court case to a loyalist of the former governor. To many, this is more than a legal outcome. It is a moral lesson. When a man builds his politics on ingratitude and betrayal, the ground beneath him will always shake. Loyalty may be tested, but betrayal always exposes itself in time.
This is why we must speak to ourselves as Okun people. Such attitude is not in our bloodline. We are a people that remember yesterday. We are a people that show gratitude. An Okun man does not forget who fed him when he was hungry. An Okun woman does not forget who sheltered her when the rain was heavy. Our culture teaches respect, patience, and thankfulness. We do not bite the hand that fed us. We bless it.
As we move toward 2027, this is the time to preach peace amongst members of the APC in Kogi West. We cannot win if we are divided. We cannot grow if we allow bitterness to lead us. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs our unity. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo needs our support. All APC candidates in Kogi West need a united house to succeed, come 2027 and beyond.
Let us return to our values. Let us remember yesterday. Let us show gratitude. Let us forgive, but let us also learn. Let us choose loyalty over betrayal, peace over war, and unity over personal ambition. That is the Okun way. That is the APC way. And that is the only way to victory in 2027.
SIGNED:
CHIEF RICHARD ASAJE,
Founder/Nat’l Coordinator,
Like Minds Alliance Pressure Group
5th Nov. 2026