As Yagba Federal Constituency progresses through the seventh year of Rt. Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide’s two-term mandate, with June 2026 marking the conclusion of his seventh year and the countdown to eight years of federal representation, it becomes increasingly evident that few legislators have combined grassroots engagement with strategic national relevance the way he has. Representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives since 2019 and re-elected for a second term in 2023, Abejide’s tenure has been defined by innovation, impact and inclusivity. The result has been a dynamic style of representation that distinguishes his service within Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.
A Foundation in Service and Scholarship
Born on May 8, 1975 in Alu Yagba East, Abejide’s journey into leadership was shaped by both academic grounding and a passion for societal development. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University and an MBA from Bayero University Kano. These academic foundations later influenced his strategic approach to governance, constituency upliftment and long-term public service.
Before entering parliament, he laid the foundation for his public service through the Leke Abejide Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups through education, health and economic empowerment.
Education and Human Capital Development
Long before elective office, Abejide centred his public service around education. Well before his legislative mandate, he funded the payment of WAEC and NECO fees for students in government secondary schools across Yagba Federal Constituency, easing financial barriers that often deny young people access to critical examinations.
During his time in parliament, this commitment grew in scale. He facilitated free examinations for students beyond his immediate constituency, extended assistance to tertiary students through scholarships, and supplied thousands of textbooks and ICT resources to schools.
These interventions have reduced barriers to academic progression, strengthened youth aspirations and reaffirmed that investment in human capital is an investment in the future.
Humanitarian Outreach and Constituency Welfare
A notable pillar of Abejide’s representation is his consistent humanitarian engagement. Through both personal initiatives and his foundation, he has:
Distributed food items and relief worth around one billion naira annually to widows and vulnerable households during festive seasons
Provided clothing, food and essential materials through targeted empowerment drives
Supported widows, elderly persons and disadvantaged youths through welfare programs that address both immediate needs and long-term hardship
These efforts demonstrate a persistent commitment to social welfare that transcends electoral cycles and aligns directly with grassroots realities.
Economic Empowerment and Local Development
Abejide’s representation also extends into economic transformation. He has facilitated:
Non-interest loan schemes for women and cooperative societies across thirty-four wards to support micro and small enterprises
Empowerment of farmers and youths with productive equipment such as tricycles, water pumps, grading machines, generators and motorcycles to enhance agricultural output and entrepreneurship
Federal employment facilitation for constituents within ministries, departments and agencies
These interventions have strengthened economic resilience, stimulated local enterprise and provided sustainable paths out of poverty for many families.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Infrastructure remains a hallmark of dynamic representation and Abejide’s footprint continues to expand. He has championed the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and community access routes that connect settlements and unlock economic opportunities. Notable interventions include:
The South East Yagba District Road, improving trade and mobility
Ongoing construction and improvements on the Makutu Kajola Market road
Rehabilitation of critical farm access roads and township routes, improving connection between rural communities and market centres
By prioritising infrastructure, Abejide signals an understanding that connectivity is central to development since roads link health, education, commerce and livelihood.
Security, Innovation and Institutional Support
A dynamic representative must confront insecurity and Abejide has engaged with it innovatively. He initiated Operation No Mercy Lion Squad, a community-linked security intervention designed to support formal security agencies in countering banditry and interpersonal violence, particularly in rural areas where intelligence assets are localised.
Additionally, his distribution of SUVs and other logistical support to traditional institutions has strengthened traditional governance roles and community development coordination.
Legislative Influence and National Recognition
Abejide’s influence is not limited to constituency projects. As Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, he has contributed significantly to economic legislation and institutional reform. His involvement in the reforms that strengthened customs processes and revenue administration, including the Nigerian Customs Service Act enacted in 2023, illustrates his relevance at the national level.
His humanitarian and legislative contributions have earned him awards and recognition, validating that dynamic representation can be felt both locally and nationally.
The Essence of Dynamic Representation
What defines Leke Abejide’s dynamic representation is its breadth, depth and continuity. He blends philanthropy with public policy, infrastructure with empowerment and local needs with national influence. His approach is sustained, inclusive and intentionally designed to ensure that development touches every segment of Yagbaland.
In a political environment often characterised by short-term interventions and sporadic engagement, Abejide’s model stands out for its long-term consistency, strategic partnerships and measurable grassroots impact. For his constituents, his representation has meant more than projects. It has meant opportunity, dignity and a sense of shared progress.
- J.O. Abel-Ontop writes from Lokoja
