Political stakeholders across party lines from Kogi State, particularly from Yagba Federal Constituency, have called on the member representing Yagba Federal Constituency, Elder Leke Abejide, to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Elder Leke Abejide is serving his second term in the Green Chamber, representing Yagba Federal Constituency under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The political stakeholders made this appeal during a political meeting held in Lokoja, convened by the Yagba Progressives Forum (YPF).
The co-conveners of the Yagba Progressives Forum are Chief Shola Adebola, Hon. Adebayo Toba Emmanuel, and Mrs Beatrice Araiyedupin.
During his opening remarks, the Chief of Staff to Elder Leke Abejide noted that there have been widespread calls for the representative to move to the ruling party.
The local government chairmen of Yagba West, Yagba East, and Mopamuro – Hon. Tosin Olokun, Dare Joseph, and Ademola Bello, respectively – unanimously agreed that Elder Leke Abejide has assured them he would consider their plea for him to join the APC, adding that the time is now right for him to make the move.
Hon. Ruben Atteh, the APC Chairman of Yagba East Local Government, also stated that the APC eagerly anticipates welcoming Elder Leke Abejide, as they are tired of having him on the opposing side.
Comr. Hassan Oluwasegun Sheriffdeen, President of the Federation of Yagba Students (FYS), and Mrs Ebun Joel, who spoke on behalf of students and women, respectively, acknowledged Elder Leke Abejide’s efforts in empowering them through various initiatives and palliatives. They expressed confidence that his contributions would be even more impactful within the APC.
The convener of the Yagba Progressives Forum, Barr. Bola Fabola, presented a communiqué adopted by the gathering, which stated:
*”We, the Yagba Progressives Group, convened this gathering to examine the political landscape of Yagba Federal Constituency in relation to our representative, Elder Leke Abejide.
“Leadership, they say, is the ability to identify and champion the interests of individuals and groups for a common cause. This is evident in the political development of Kogi State and in Yagba West, Yagba East, and Mopamuro Federal Constituency, as it pertains to Rep. Leke Abejide.
“We observe the performance of our representative in the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide, and pass a vote of confidence in him for his outstanding contributions both within and outside the National Assembly.
“We acknowledge the impact of his numerous empowerment schemes on his constituents, notably the interest-free loans provided to women across Yagba Federal Constituency (with ongoing enrolment in Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Constituency).
“We commend the recent flag-off of road construction projects in the federal constituency, including the Igbagun-Isanlu-Makutu Road, among others.
“He has influenced and personally funded road rehabilitation and reconstruction, built a state-of-the-art ICT facility, provided food and clothing materials, distributed working tools and equipment for artisans, supplied seedlings, farm tools, and fertiliser for farmers, and donated SUVs and other vehicles to royal fathers and other beneficiaries.
“We also recognise his growing political acceptability at the national level.
“In light of these considerations, and given the increasing calls from political allies, associates, and key political actors, we believe that our constituency would benefit more if he joined the ruling party.”*
Elder Leke Abejide is a prominent political figure not only in Kogi State but across Nigeria.
Since his election in 2019, he has represented the people of Yagba Federal Constituency, winning on the basis of his commitment to their interests, despite running on a self-sponsored party platform.
Although Elder Leke Abejide was a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), political exigencies led him to leave the party. However, he has since won two consecutive elections as a House of Representatives member under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Despite his affiliation with the ADC, Elder Leke Abejide has maintained strong ties with the ruling APC, consistently delivering the dividends of democracy to his constituents.
A major supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, Elder Leke Abejide also backed Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, who won the Kogi gubernatorial election under the APC.
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