A House of Representatives-elect from Kachia/Kagarko Constituency in Kaduna State, David Umar, has called for support for the election of Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, as Speaker of the incoming 10th Assembly.
The Sun reported that Umar told newsmen in Abuja, on Wednesday, that the country’s youths represent the present and future Nigeria, but the demographics of political leadership do not represent this reality.
He said, “Both government and the political parties do not reflect this reality. That has to change. And, this change should begin in the House of Representatives. What is the part of the youths in the political leadership calculation? Where is the place of the youths in our democracy, is it only as legislative and media aides?
“It is essential to note that this contingent of member-elect is the youngest ever. The possibility of intergenerational conflict is high if the leadership of the House doesn’t reflect the composition of the House.”
Speaking on the concern of Gagdi’s lack of experience, Umar insisted that the argument that other lawmakers are more experienced than Gagdi in parliamentary business because he is just going for his second term is not tenable because he has surpassed them in legislative functions.
He stated, “What is the definition of experience? People who have been in the House of Representatives for 15 to 20 years, but have not been able to deliver anything? They say they want to now change the House of Representatives for the better by being Speaker, what have they been doing since? What did they contribute?
“Gagdi has been there for just four years and has sponsored 6 private member bills that were signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. Can those experienced Lawmakers show just 3 bills that passed in all these years in the House?
“Hon. Gagdi has delivered empowerment to people that cuts across education, healthcare, access to water, and many more. He has worked to improve the human capital quotient of his constituency and state. These are verifiable facts.
“Experience is not about years sitting in the Parliament without results, it is about having the knowledge of how to use your office to better the lives of Nigerians as Gagdi has done.”
The rep-elect, therefore, urged other members-elect and the All Progressives Congress to support Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi is to become the next Speaker as he is not only in the youthful bracket as a 42-year-old but also has cognate experience in legislative business.
Yusuf Gagdi is a member of the 9th National Assembly, representing the Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke Constituency of Plateau State.
Currently, he has sponsored seven different bills, all of which he developed himself. Among these bills, six have been accented to by President Muhammadu Buhari on account of how sound and practical they are. Although the 7th Gadi-sponsored bill is yet to be accepted, he is on record as the only member of the legislative arm of government to have so many approved bills while in his first term of federal lawmaking.
Beyond bills, Gagdi has made significant contributions to infrastructural development, especially in his constituency. For example, it is on record that he built 28 units of classroom blocks in 28 different locations, 14 modern primary health care units, three decent police posts, 2,100 units of solar street lights, 264 hand pumps and motorized boreholes, six town halls, and skill acquisition centers, and 23 roads, to name a few. He has also erected 24 palaces and corresponding offices for traditional officials with each costing an estimated N100 million.
