Abejide Announces ₦500m Interest-Free Loan Scheme for Yagba Youths as Kogi Officials, Supporters Welcome Lawmaker

Rt. Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide, member representing Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has announced plans to introduce a ₦500 million interest-free loan scheme for youths across the constituency as part of his proposed youth empowerment interventions.

Abejide made the announcement during a homecoming programme organised in his honour, which attracted senior Kogi State Government officials, local government chairmen, political stakeholders, All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, support groups and a large gathering of supporters from the three local government areas.

The lawmaker did not provide further details on the scheme’s implementation, eligibility criteria or disbursement arrangements at the event.

The gathering also featured expressions of political support for Abejide, with several speakers highlighting his representation and calling on the people of Yagba to consider his record as discussions surrounding the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Dr. Folashade Ayoade Arike, expressed confidence in the political relationship between Abejide and the state government, declaring that the lawmaker’s alignment with the ruling political structure had changed the dynamics of opposition politics in Yagba.

She was quoted as saying that there was no longer room for opposition in Yagba Federal Constituency now that Abejide had joined the political fold, adding that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was fully behind him.

The Kogi State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Yagba West Local Government, who also spoke at the event, described Abejide’s anticipated re-election bid as extending beyond the contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.

He urged stakeholders to consider the broader political implications of the lawmaker’s relationship with the state government and the ruling party.

The Chairman of Yagba East Local Government, Hon. Dare Joshua, popularly known as Venza, said the gathering should not be mistaken for a formal campaign, describing it instead as a preliminary expression of support ahead of the 2027 elections. He urged Abejide to sustain his interventions and continue engaging with the people.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government, Hon. Ademola Bello, expressed confidence in his council area’s participation in the emerging political process. He said Mopamuro would mobilise substantial support for Abejide, attributing his confidence to the lawmaker’s performance.

Former Mopamuro Local Government Chairman, Hon. Moses Sunday David, popularly known as Alomo, also assured the gathering of support from the area. Acknowledging that other aspirants from Mopamuro might contest the House of Representatives seat, he maintained that the local government would remain active in the political discussions surrounding Abejide’s ambition.

The Director General of the Leke Abejide Support Group, Chief Yomi Olorunshola, reinforced the assurance, expressing confidence in the group’s mobilisation efforts across the constituency.

Political stakeholder Chief Dayo Akanle urged Abejide not to be distracted by the challenges of the political process, while Chief Henry Omotosho called on Yagba residents to remain engaged with the lawmaker and the issues surrounding his representation.

The Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, Hon. Raji Afolabi, described the event as a welcome gathering rather than a campaign rally. He also expressed confidence in the support of students across the constituency for Abejide.

In his remarks, the Kogi State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Oluwasegun Joseph, said Abejide’s relationship with traditional rulers, the state government, the Federal Government and members of the public was an important consideration in assessing his political engagement. He called on the people of Yagba to continue engaging with the lawmaker and his record in office.

Speaking on behalf of two other members of the Kogi State House of Assembly from the constituency, Hon. Obaro Emmanuel said the three local government areas would remain central to the political discussions ahead of 2027.

Other prominent attendees included Prince Phillip Orebiyi, Barr. James Fabola, Chief Richard Asaje, Hon. Maiyaki, Hon. Jones Daniel, Hon. Temitope Balogun, Bashorun M. D. Eseyin and other political associates.

The programme also attracted the three local government APC chairmen and their executives, APC political office holders from Yagba, party supporters, representatives of various political associations and support groups, as well as APC candidates from Kogi West and Yagba Federal Constituency.

Among the groups represented were the Leke Asiwaju Support Group, the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), the BATT Group and support groups associated with members of the Kogi State House of Assembly.

Musical performances by the highlife band of Ijoba Yomex Flavour added entertainment to the event.

Abejide, in his response, expressed gratitude to God and thanked the attendees for their support and goodwill. He urged the people to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and other APC candidates, stressing the importance of political cooperation within the party.

He assured the gathering that he would continue to serve the interests of his constituents and remain responsive to their expectations.

The proposed ₦500 million interest-free loan scheme was one of the major announcements of the event, although further information will be required to establish how the intervention will be administered and which categories of young people will benefit.

The homecoming programme ended with renewed declarations of support from participants, reflecting the growing political activity in Yagba ahead of the 2027 general elections.