Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has called on constituents in Yagba Federal Constituency to support the re-election of Leke Abejide for a third term in the House of Representatives. Bello made the appeal in Abuja during a private event marking the 50th birthday of Deaconess Esther Modupe Abejide and the couple's 20th wedding anniversary. The gathering, attended by political figures and stakeholders, provided a platform for the former governor to outline his position on legislative continuity.
According to Bello, experience and institutional knowledge accumulated over multiple terms significantly enhance a lawmaker's effectiveness. He argued that third-term legislators are better positioned to influence policy, secure committee leadership roles, and attract federal projects to their constituencies. "The impact of a ranking member is far greater," Bello said, noting that the legislative process relies heavily on relationships, seniority, and familiarity with parliamentary procedures. He added that lawmakers who have spent several terms in office are more adept at navigating appropriation processes and building cross-party alliances, factors he said translate into tangible development outcomes.
Support for Tinubu and APC
Bello also used the occasion to express support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending his administration's policies. He conveyed this position through Femi Gbajabiamila, who was present at the event. In addition, the former governor said stakeholders in Kogi State were aligned in backing Abejide's third-term ambition, urging the lawmaker to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing Concerns on Rotation
While acknowledging calls for rotational representation within the constituency, particularly from the Mopa-Muro axis, Bello appealed for patience, arguing that continuity would maximize ongoing opportunities. "It is not a turn-by-turn arrangement," he said, emphasizing that legislative service benefits from sustained experience rather than frequent changes in representation. He maintained that a first-term legislator may face limitations in delivering large-scale projects compared with a more experienced counterpart, particularly in a system where influence grows over time.
Bello described Abejide as a dependable leader whose tenure has delivered measurable benefits to constituents, adding that extending his time in office would consolidate existing gains. The endorsement comes amid early political positioning ahead of the next electoral cycle, with stakeholders across constituencies beginning to articulate their preferences.
