2027: Win-Win for Yagba and Abejide

By J.O. Abel-Ontop

As the 2027 political season gradually takes shape, conversations around representation, continuity and political interests are becoming increasingly important across Kogi State. For Yagba, the question is not simply about who will occupy a political office next, but about what the community stands to gain from the decisions it makes. For Rt. Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide, the question is equally about whether the experience, relationships and political capital accumulated over the years should be given another opportunity to serve the people.

This is where the argument for “2027: Win-Win for Yagba and Abejide” becomes relevant. The expression is not necessarily about one man winning an election at the expense of his people. Rather, it presents a political situation in which the continued success of Abejide can also translate into an advantage for Yagba, while the continued confidence of Yagba can strengthen Abejide’s political relevance.

Abejide has already spent two terms in the House of Representatives, giving him an understanding of the legislative process that a first-time lawmaker would naturally need years to acquire. Over the period, he has also developed relationships within the National Assembly and across the wider political environment. His position as Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise has further placed him in a national policy space that extends beyond the immediate affairs of his constituency.

For Yagba, this accumulated experience has political value. Representation is not only about having someone occupy a seat; it is also about having a representative who understands the workings of that seat, knows the relevant institutions and can engage political and governmental structures with experience. The longer such political capital is developed, the more useful it can become when properly deployed for the interest of the people.

This does not mean that continuity should be automatic or that political office should become a permanent entitlement. Elections must remain a contest of ideas, records, competence and the confidence of the electorate. But where a representative seeks another term, the electorate is entitled to examine what has been built, what remains unfinished and what additional value another term could bring.

For Abejide himself, a further mandate would mean more than retaining a political position. It would provide an opportunity to consolidate the experience and networks already established in public service. The difference between starting afresh and building on an existing political foundation can be significant, particularly in an environment where relationships, institutional knowledge and political credibility take time to develop.

For Yagba, the potential benefit lies in converting that experience into stronger political influence and more effective representation. A constituency that has a representative with growing visibility in national politics potentially has an asset that can be strengthened rather than repeatedly rebuilt.

The “win-win” argument, therefore, rests on mutual interest. Abejide needs Yagba’s confidence and mandate to remain politically relevant, while Yagba needs a representative capable of using accumulated experience and influence to advance its interests. One cannot meaningfully separate the political future of the representative from the mandate of the people he seeks to represent.

There is also a broader political dimension. The 2027 elections will be shaped not only by personalities but by alliances, political calculations and the ability of candidates to remain relevant within the larger political structure. For Yagba, having a representative who understands these dynamics can be important in determining how effectively the constituency positions itself in the emerging political landscape.

Ultimately, “2027: Win-Win for Yagba and Abejide” is an argument for mutual political benefit. It suggests that Abejide’s aspiration for another mandate and Yagba’s interest in securing effective representation do not have to be competing objectives. They can converge if the electorate believes that his experience, political capital and capacity for representation remain valuable to the constituency.

The final decision, however, belongs to the people. They will determine whether the journey should continue, change direction or take another path. But if Yagba concludes that Abejide’s accumulated experience and political positioning are assets worth preserving, then 2027 could indeed become a win for Abejide and, more importantly, a win for Yagba.