By joshua LASG Leads Support Groups to Welcome Abejide to APC as Yagba Leaders Declare Support
Political leaders in Yagba Federal Constituency have expressed support for Rt. Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide following his entry into the All Progressives Congress (APC), with local government chairmen and other stakeholders pledging to mobilise support for him ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Leke Abejide Support Group (LASG), led by its Director General, Chief Yomi Olorunshola, led other support groups to welcome Abejide at a homecoming event attended by political officeholders, party executives, community stakeholders and supporters from across Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
Among the LASG executives present were the Secretary, Hon. Abigail Ayeni; Chairman of the Advisory Council, Barr. James Fabola; Chief Henry Omotosho of the Finance Committee; and Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Bashorun M.D. Eseyin, alongside other members of the group.
The event also attracted the three local government APC chairmen and their executives, APC political officeholders from Yagba Federal Constituency, members of the Kogi State House of Assembly, support groups, the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), the BATT group and other political associations.
Speaking at the gathering, the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade Arike, declared the end of opposition in Yagba Federal Constituency following Abejide’s movement into the APC.
She assured Abejide of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s support, stating that the governor stood firmly behind him.
The Kogi State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Yagba West Local Government, in his remarks, said Abejide’s re-election aspiration went beyond the contest for a seat in the House of Representatives, reflecting broader political considerations within the constituency.
Similarly, the Chairman of Yagba East Local Government, Hon. Dare Joshua, popularly known as Venza, described the gathering as a rehearsal for the political activities ahead, noting that the formal campaign period had yet to begin. He encouraged Abejide to sustain his work for the people.
The Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government, Hon. Ademola Bello, also pledged support for Abejide, expressing confidence that Mopamuro would deliver substantial votes for him. He attributed the commitment to the lawmaker’s record of performance and relationship with the people.
A political stakeholder in the state, Chief Dayo Akanle, urged Abejide not to be anxious about the forthcoming political contest, expressing confidence in the support he had received from various quarters.
Chief Henry Omotosho, in his remarks, called on the people of Yagba to stand with Abejide, while former Mopamuro Local Government Chairman, Hon. Moses Sunday David, popularly known as Alomo, assured the lawmaker of the area’s support.
David acknowledged that other aspirants from Mopamuro might contest for the House of Representatives seat but maintained that the local government would mobilise support for Abejide.
The Director General of LASG, Chief Yomi Olorunshola, also expressed confidence in the commitment of Mopamuro stakeholders, pledging that the group would continue working to mobilise support for the lawmaker.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, Hon. Raji Afolabi, described the gathering as a welcome event rather than a campaign rally. He expressed confidence in the support Abejide enjoyed among students across the constituency.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Oluwasegun Joseph, said Abejide’s relationship with traditional rulers, the state and federal governments, as well as the wider community, had earned him goodwill among different groups. He urged the people of Yagba to consider these relationships as they assess his representation.
Speaking on behalf of two other members of the Kogi State House of Assembly from the area, Hon. Obaro Emmanuel said he expected the people of Yagba Federal Constituency to rally behind Abejide.
Several speakers at the event highlighted their experiences and interactions with the lawmaker, arguing that his representation should be considered as the constituency approaches another election cycle.
In his response, Abejide expressed gratitude to God and thanked the political leaders, support groups and residents who attended the gathering. He called on the people to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and other APC candidates.
He assured the people that he would continue to represent their interests and would not take their support for granted.
Abejide also announced plans for a ₦500 million interest-free loan scheme for youths across Yagba Federal Constituency, describing the proposed intervention as part of his youth empowerment agenda. Further details on the scheme’s implementation, eligibility requirements and disbursement arrangements were not provided at the event.
The gathering featured musical performances by the highlife band of Ijoba Yomex Flavour, adding entertainment to the political programme.
Other notable attendees included Prince Phillip Orebiyi, Barr. James Fabola, Chief Richard Asaje, Hon. Maiyaki, Hon. Jones Daniel, Hon. Temitope Balogun, as well as representatives of various support groups and political associations.
The event ended with renewed declarations of support from several attendees, as Abejide and his supporters looked ahead to the political activities leading to the 2027 general elections.