By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Former Deputy Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assemble and current member repressing Rt. Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, PhD, has described former Ekiti State Governor and ex-Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi (JKF), as “an institution whose association alone is a form of education,”.
He left the audience with what he described as three “deep and time-tested” Fayemi quotes that capture the realities of political life: that politics can be brutal; that it can neither be controlled nor predicted; and that silence itself can be instructive and eloquent.
During the colloquium, one of the panelists observed that if a similar event were held in honour of an international figure of Fayemi’s stature in Europe or the United States, the hall would likely be filled to capacity.
Responding, Jamiu urged the audience to understand such dynamics within the broader context of political behaviour toward leaders—particularly the sharp contrast between how politicians are treated while in office and how they are regarded after leaving power.
To underscore this point, he referenced reflections by a former Chief of Staff to ex-Senate President David Mark, Chief Agbo Ogah, who once warned that many individuals who cluster around those in power are not friends but “tenants of influence,” driven by opportunism rather than loyalty.
Jamiu explained that such relationships often dissolve the moment political power slips away, as former allies quickly switch allegiances, erase associations, and seek relevance elsewhere. According to him, the lesson for public office holders is clear: power reveals predators, not friends, and relevance is always temporary.
He urged those in leadership to invest in people rather than sycophants, to fear God rather than applause, and to remember that power is borrowed and must one day be returned.
The colloquium formed part of activities marking Fayemi’s 61st birthday, celebrating his contributions to governance, intellectual engagement, and progressive politics in Nigeria and beyond.