A socio-political group, Yagba Progress Defenders, has highlighted the remarkable developmental strides in Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro Federal Constituency under Hon. Elder Leke Abejide.
It said the progress achieved over the years was visible, measurable and deserving protection.
Addressing journalists in Lokoja, the group’s spokesman, Ayo Emmanuel, said the briefing was convened not for political considerations, but to defend the interests and progress of the Yagba people.
According to him, remaining silent when genuine development comes under attack would amount to irresponsibility, noting that for the first time in decades, the constituency is experiencing a level of representation, empowerment, accessibility and development that has become a reference point within and beyond Yagba.
He said Rt. Hon. Abejide’s commitment to service and his visible impact across communities have continued to distinguish his leadership.
Emmanuel cited the recent approval and disbursement of N10 million each to 72 communities across Yagba as evidence of grassroots-focused LEADERSHIP. “This was not a campaign promise. It was not political rhetoric. It was direct intervention touching real communities and real people,” he said.
He added that beyond the intervention, the lawmaker’s investments in infrastructure, education, youth empowerment, healthcare and community development have positively affected lives across Yagba and even neighbouring constituencies.
The spokesman maintained that the people of Yagba deserve continuity of development rather than a return to what he described as the era of empty promises, stressing that performance and excellence should be encouraged and sustained.
He noted that the constituency has reached a critical point where the gains already recorded must be consolidated through continued people-oriented representation.
Speaking on the political process that produced Abejide as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Emmanuel said the party’s primary election was conducted in accordance with its Constitution and relevant electoral laws, reflecting the wishes of members and stakeholders who participated.
He stressed that seeking re-election is a constitutional right available to every qualified Nigerian and that the ultimate decision on who represents the people rests with the electorate through the ballot.
Emmanuel further recalled that Abejide had established his political relevance before joining the APC, having won elections outside the dominant political platforms on the strength of performance, accessibility and public trust.
According to him, the lawmaker’s eventual defection to the APC followed sustained appeals from youths, stakeholders and party faithful who believed his membership would strengthen the party and accelerate development in Yagba.
He described Abejide as one of the APC’s strongest political assets in the constituency and commended his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Emmanuel said members of Yagba Progress Defenders believe that development must be protected, progress defended, and facts allowed to prevail over falsehood. He called on political actors and stakeholders to embrace issue-based politics, respect democratic processes and place the collective interest of the constituency above personal ambitions.
“If the people believe that Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide deserves another opportunity to consolidate ongoing projects, deepen existing interventions, and strengthen the foundations already laid for sustainable development. Therefore, democracy must allow them to express that choice freely.
“Yagba has moved forward. Yagba must continue to move forward. And together, we shall defend every genuine effort aimed at securing a better future for our people,” he said.
