APC Leaders in Yagba Defend Leke Abejide’s Primary Victory
Leaders, elected officials and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State have publicly backed Leke Abejide as the party’s nominee for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
Primary Process Described as Transparent and Credible
In a statement released on Wednesday, the APC bigwigs said Abejide’s win reflected the genuine will of party members across the constituency. They dismissed criticisms as stemming from political disappointment and an effort to overturn a democratic decision.
Supporters Point to Abejide’s Track Record
The chieftains highlighted Abejide’s participation in the primary and his overwhelming mandate, which they said came from a transparent and credible exercise. They noted that those challenging the result had backed another aspirant but failed to gain member support.
Results Reflect Ward‑Level Preferences
According to the statement, the outcome mirrored the preference of members from the 34 wards that make up Yagba Federal Constituency. Efforts to invalidate the result through media campaigns and public agitation were labelled undemocratic and unacceptable.
Democracy Must Respect the People’s Choice
The leaders quoted: “Democracy is not about excluding a candidate because of where he comes from. Democracy is about allowing the people to decide who is best suited to represent their interests.” They stressed that the primary produced a clear winner and that the will of party members must be honoured by all stakeholders.
Abejide’s Service Record Cited as Basis for Support
The APC chieftains also pointed to Abejide’s achievements in office, saying his record of service earned him broad support. They cited scholarship programmes, empowerment initiatives for women and youths, infrastructure projects and other community‑focused interventions as reasons party members rallied behind him.
Grant Scheme Boosts Local Development
They highlighted a recent grant scheme in which more than 70 communities reportedly received N10 million each for projects of their choosing, further illustrating Abejide’s commitment to grassroots development.
Voters Prioritise Competence and Impact
According to the leaders, Abejide’s performance, accessibility and dedication to grassroots work have strengthened his popularity among party members and residents. Voters, they said, are now focusing on competence, impact and service delivery rather than mere symbolic representation.
Call for Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections
The group urged party members and the public to disregard attempts to distort the primary outcome, insisting that political pressure, revisionism and propaganda cannot overturn a mandate freely given by APC members. They concluded: “The party members have spoken. The people have spoken. Democracy has spoken, and its verdict deserves respect.”
Statement Signed by Key Kogi Officials
The statement was signed by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo; the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Kogi State, Tosin Olokun; the Chairman of Yagba East Local Government Area, Dare Joshua; and the Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Ademola Bello.
APC Urges Members to Stay United
Finally, the leaders urged party members to remain focused and united ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that internal division would weaken the APC’s chances in the constituency. They reaffirmed that Abejide’s emergence was legitimate, popular and consistent with the democratic wishes of party members across Yagba Federal Constituency.
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