Emmanuel Clement.
Prominent leaders, chieftains and elected officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Yagba Federal Constituency have reaffirmed their support for Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election, insisting that the mandate freely given to him by party members cannot be overturned.
The leaders, operating under the platform of the Leke Abejide Support Group (LASG), made their position known in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting held on Wednesday.
They described recent criticisms of Abejide’s emergence as politically motivated reactions from individuals dissatisfied with the outcome of the APC primary election.
According to the group, Abejide secured victory through a transparent and democratic process in which party members across the constituency exercised their right to choose their preferred candidate.
They stressed that his emergence was neither by imposition nor entitlement, but the result of overwhelming support from APC members.
The APC leaders maintained that those challenging the outcome had actively supported another aspirant during the primary election but failed to secure the confidence of party members.
They noted that the election result reflected the clear preference of APC members across the 34 wards of Yagba Federal Constituency.
They further condemned attempts to invalidate the outcome through media campaigns and public agitation, describing such actions as contrary to the principles of democracy and party discipline.
While responding to arguments based on zoning and rotational arrangements, the leaders argued that political agreements cannot supersede the constitutional rights of citizens to contest elective positions or the right of voters to freely choose their representatives.
The group also dismissed claims that Abejide’s candidacy violates constitutional provisions, noting that the Constitution does not impose term limits on legislators and guarantees every qualified Nigerian the opportunity to seek elective office.
“Democracy is about giving the people the opportunity to decide who should represent them. It is not about excluding candidates based on where they come from or political calculations,” the communiqué stated.
Highlighting Abejide’s achievements in office, the APC leaders cited scholarship programmes benefiting thousands of students, empowerment initiatives for women and youths, infrastructure projects across communities, and the recent community grant programme through which more than seventy communities received ₦10 million each to undertake development projects of their choice.
According to them, Abejide’s record of performance, accessibility and commitment to grassroots development has earned him widespread acceptance throughout the constituency.
The leaders noted that constituents are increasingly prioritising competence, impact and effective representation over political sentiments, adding that Abejide’s developmental strides have continued to resonate with the people.
They therefore urged party members and the general public to disregard attempts to distort the outcome of the primary election, insisting that the democratic process had produced a clear winner whose mandate deserves respect.
“No amount of political pressure, propaganda or revision of facts can overturn the mandate freely given by APC members.
The party has spoken, the people have spoken, and democracy has spoken,” the leaders declared.
Investigator news reports that the communiqué was signed by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo; Chairman of Yagba West Local Government and ALGON Chairman in Kogi State, Hon. Tosin Olokun; Chairman of Yagba East Local Government, Hon. Dare Joshua; Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government, Hon. Ademola Bello, alongside several APC leaders, stakeholders and grassroots mobilisers across Yagba Federal Constituency.