… Says bid Leke Abejide to recontest Yagba Federal Constituency is a threat existing order
A subtle political move being made by Leke Abejide, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Yagba Federal Constituency, geared at recontesting the position again in 2027, is now brewing serious political tension in his constituency.
As his move to return to the Green Chamber of the National Assembly is being opposed strongly by a political group with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), known as ‘Mopamuro Forum for Fairness, Equity, and Justice’.
The unfolding development is coming against a backdrop of a document, recently presented by the Group to the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ahmed Ododo, about what it viewed as a move by Abejide, who is currently the Chairman House Committee on Customs & Excise, to violate age long rotational agreement existing between the three Local Government Areas, that made up the constituency (Yagba West, Yagba East, and Mopamuro).
The document which presented to Governor Ododo through a House of Assembly member representing Mopamuro Local Government Area in the Kogi State House of Assembly; Olawumi Jacob, seen by BusinessDay, indicates that Leke Abejide, has expressed his intention to seek a third term in the 2027 elections, despite earlier promises to Mopamuro electorates during his 2023 campaign, not to contest the position in the next election.
The document was presented during a peaceful protest at the APC Party secretariat, in Mopa, the LGA administrative capital, members of the group, indicates that the group has absolute confidence in the Governor’s leadership, sense of justice, and commitment to equity, in resolving the political issue.
The group urged Governor Ododo, as the APC party leader in the state, to prevail on Abejide, who is believed is perfecting his move to cross carpet to the party, not to violate the existing rotational order in the area.
The document which carried the signature of prominent party leaders in the LGA, such as: Commodore Folusho Daniel, a retired commodore, Chief Eric Fiki, a traditional chief in the area, as well as Makinde Oyebode, Aro pf Mopa, and Jesse Abayomi Oloke, an educator, commended Governor Ododo for his administration’s numerous achievements and expressed their full commitment to the success of his tenure.
The document highlighted what is believed to be the imbalance in political representation within the Yagba Federal Constituency, with Mopamuro LGA having had only one representative in over two decades, compared to the overwhelming dominance of representatives from Yagba West and Yagba East.
The group pointed out that the current representative from Yagba West, Leke Abejide, has expressed his intention to seek a third term in the 2027 elections, despite earlier promises to the Mopamuro electorate during his 2023 campaign. This move, if unchallenged, could further marginalise Mopamuro within the constituency, relegating them to political insignificance.
Therefore, the Group is coming on Governor Ododo to intervene and support the zoning of the Yagba Federal Constituency seat to Mopamuro in the upcoming elections, and emphasized the need for balance and equity in political representation, chanting the slogan “O to ge, Mopamuro lokan” (Enough is enough, it’s Mopamuro’s Turn).
Providing information on the development, Makinde Oyebode confided that the group’s plea reflects the growing calls for fair and just representation in the political landscape of Kogi State, with a focus on empowering marginalised communities and ensuring equal opportunities for all constituents.
He noted that as the governor considers the request, the eyes of Mopamuro residents are on the horizon, hoping for a new era of inclusivity and equitable distribution of power within the Yagba Federal Constituency.
According to Olabode, the document highlighted the need for balance and equity in political representation within the constituency, emphasising the hopes and aspirations of Mopamuro residents for a new era of inclusivity and fair distribution of power.
“As the letter is in the hands of the governor’s representatives, the eyes of the community are eagerly watching for a response that will address their concerns and aspirations for political equality”, he said.
