By Abraham Ibukun Eunice
The Leke Abejide Media Team has been inundated with the persistent canterkerous tantrums of some unscrupulous individuals in and around Yagba Federal Constituency. The latest being a press release to pour vituperation on Hon Leke Abejide on his misquoted statement about offering himself as Director General of the campaign of Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Usman Ododo, should the latter indicate interest in a second term. Hon Leke Abejide’s tap under the chin courtesy simply stamped the widely acclaimed 5-star performance of Governor Ododo’s, whose first anniversary in office attracted commendation from far and near. Hon Leke Abejide, therefore has not said anything new if he thinks Ododo deserves to be supported to continue his good work without distraction. Sadly, this is what a group of urchins misquoted and went to the streets alleging that Hon Leke Abejide, for his personal gains, has offered himself to lead the governor’s campaign. Urchins as we know are ocean invertebrates that are faceless, brainless and spineless.
To put the record straight, Hon Leke Abejide never said he wants to be DG Campaign to Gov Ododo. What he said was that he is not interested in the Governorship election of Kogi State in 2027 that he can even take up Ododo’s DG campaign as a mark of evidence of non-interest. In other words, it is not possible for the DG campaign to run for governor at the same time.
We are surprised at the outburst of bitterness coming from these unscrupulous elements operating under various faceless groups, their latest sobriquet being “Yagba Youths Movement for Good Governance”.
There wouldn’t have been any need to respond to the purported press statement authored by a non-existent Ismail Olawale. But for the fact that every of their gatherings has become an avenue for lamentations and disrespect to what we are known for as a people and for the fact that they always have their mushroom gatherings to talk about Elder Leke Abejide.
Due to some aspects of the publication considered libellous, we also demand of the publisher (s) of the press statement in quote to provide the identity/address of Ismail Olawale who claimed to speak on behalf of “Yagba Youths Movement for Good Governance”.
It is obvious “Ismail Olawale” and his cohorts are short of history, ideas, and lack comprehension to know what Elder Leke Abejide stands for both in Kogi State and beyond. To start with, the names he (Ismail) mentioned, except Commodore Daniel, had never supported Hon Leke Abejide. Likewise, in his entire life, no politician has ever given him (Hon Leke Abejide) money to support him/her. Conversely, Hon Abejide has spent his personal resources for himself and for others. Freedom of speech as guaranteed in a citizen’s fundamental human rights; is no guarantee for character assassination and libellous publications. At the appropriate time, the true identity of those behind the publication will be fished out for prosecution because it is libel under the law.
Politically, Hon. Leke Abejide is a second term ranking member of the Federal House of Representatives with great anticidents.
Hon. Leke Abejide possesses the name and personality, which are widely accepted within and beyond the shores of Yagba and Kogi State. Little wonder the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Kashim Shettima publicly acknowledged Abejide’s leadership prowess, courage and bravery.
Hon Leke Abejide’s style of representation has bridged the gap of leadership and has brought dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of every Yagba man and woman not exempting young adults across Yagba Federal Constituency.
Although in the last gubernatorial election, Hon. Leke Abejide contested, his comment on the DG Campaign to Ododo for second term, by interpretation is bourne out of genuine love for our state. This is not just a plus to the government; it shows his genuine support for Governor Ododo and his wish for him and Kogi State to succeed. Furthermore, Abejide has maintained a robust relationship with His Excellency Alhaji Usman Ododo, who has always reciprocated and acknowledged him (Abejide) as a leader.
The grandstanding of these enemies of state has become completely nauseating not just to the people of Yagba Federal Constituency who are solidly behind Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide but also to democratic ethos.
The veneered agenda of the masquerades in “Yagba Youths Movement for Good Governance”, exposed in their serial attacks on Hon. Leke, through the media, has not just failed in their rash approach, it has exposed their brash manner to politicking ahead of 2027 in their chase for vainglory. They are weak, toothless, and frightened by the relationship between Ododo and Abejide.
It is unfortunate that in the deliberate misinterpretation of the import of Hon Abejide’s comment on the DG Campaign to Ododo, they have not only become restless, they have also jettisoned every sense of reasoning required of them to be harbingers of antagonism. Yet, they tend towards becoming political traducers bent on wrecking the ship of progress in Kogi state by their agenda and hate against Abejide.
This set of faceless, rejected groups have decided to start in the wrong manner. Our question to them is why do they choose to allow themselves to be used as political tools for destabilisation just to satisfy the whims and caprices of some individuals whose political relevance have been long buried in the mud. Thus, their insatiable thirst to bring Elder Leke Abejide down has left them dumb and irrational. Their plan to alter the political landscape of Kogi State for bad and slow down its developmental pace has failed indefinitely.
Their statement against Abejide is just an attempt to deny Yagba Federal Constituency and Kogi State the needed effective legislation, peace and prosperity. Their plan is to play politics at the detriment of the people, which has yet failed.
We want to advise Ismail Olawale and his failed “Yagba Youths Movement for Good Governance” to stop engaging in frivolous politics and attempt to insult the sensibility of the people of Kogi State especially the people of Yagba, as Hon. Abejide has distinguished himself from the regular roadside politicians who prioritize their daily bread only.
Abejide is not only loved he has a wide acceptance because his style of politics is quite unmatched and different from the regulars as experienced in the past.
Hon. Leke Abejide’s interest is not to be the DG Campaign for Ododo. The discerning mind, however, is about evaluating critically, and separating what is true and useful and good from what is not. Every sensible person should understand that Hon Leke Abejide’s statement conveyed an offer from a heart that loves the progress and prosperity of our dear state.
We advise these set of “youths” to always engage in what will bring progress to Kogi State, and stop engaging in the pull him down syndrome of politics, as it doesn’t have traits of the people of Yagba.