2023: THE GAGDI PAKSHIN/KANKE/KANAM CONSTITUENTS CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS
By Kankimes Alghazali Moh’d
How a party fares at any election does not only depend on its size, but equally on the choice of its candidates.
When a candidate is accepted by the people, the party penetrates their decisions and victory is guaranteed.
Accordingly, in selecting candidates, past experiences, state of minds, public perceptions, integrity, competency, leadership prowess and general acceptability of prospective candidates should be considered.
The choice becomes very tough when a party is faced with two comparatively acceptable candidates, and it’s easy when the candidates are objectively far apart.
In assessing the suitability of choice, PKK’s current and past political demands need to be equally considered. At the moment, PKK constituents have a young leader, evidently competent, technically versatile, convincingly detribalised, extremely visionary, and practically free from corruption.
Barring any change, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi(Danmalikin Kanam and Danmajen Jhar) will throw his hat in the ring as the 2023 general election draws closer. The recent pronouncement by his aides has indicated that Gagdi will contest the 2023 election if his party (APC) fields him.
Rt. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi needs no introduction in Nigerian politics. His political sojourn started from PDP to APC. In all these parties, his name rings a bell. His contribution to the return and development of Plateau state cannot be overemphasized. He was one of the brain behind the dorminancy of the then ruling party(PDP) from 2010-2016 before he decamped into the All Progressive Congress (APC). .
On competence, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi has distinguished himself in various phases of leadership and professional achievements.
After many years of remarkable state legislative productivity, he moved on to become a Federal legislator, providing him with a rich reality of experiences, while his earliest career as an economist has groomed him with a working experience on the mechanics of development interplays.
In this period, he’s known by many as an icon of hardwork, integrity peace and unity.
Evidently, he united the 24 members of the State Assembly while championing for life-changing and revolutionary laws.
Although, there was a strained relationship between Gagdi and the Governor then, but Gagdi never faltered in maintaining his cordial relationship with his immediate constituents and Nigerians at large. Gagdi contested for State Assembly member and was defeated. His failure to become the Assembly member in 2011 has never deterred him from actively engaging in politics.
Gagdi is believed to have contributed immensely to Hon Timothy Golu election in 2015. He was a member of the PDP. Gagdi and his associates entered into alliance with other like-minded political bigwigs in Kanam and supported Hon. Timothy Golu to help Kanke complete their roundup of second zoning arrangement. When Golu emerged in 2015 as the PDP aspirant for the house of representatives, Gagdi, who was also an aspirant for state Assembly, coalesced his campaign structures and donated to Golu campaign organisation.
He recontested for the seat of State Assembly in 2015 and was the only elected office holder in Kanam under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP). While serving Kantana constituents, Gagdi displayed mastery of representation with dogged and unprecedented achievements. He left the PDP when he felt the policy of the party is not longer convenient and serving the interest of his people. People were contented with his track records and was called to represent the good people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal constituency in 2019.
Yusuf Gagdi contested the 2019 election for the seat of the House Representative on the platform of APC and won in the keenly contested election. His rich campaign documents which provided a road map for economic recovery, jobs and wealth creation endeared him to many PKK people and the business community. Yes, the Gagdi campaign document is intended to lift thousands of constituents out of poverty within his first term in office. Being a successful entrepreneur who carved a niche for himself in many business climes, his statement is not doubtful.
His actions and deeds in government in just less than two years and practical unbroken connection to his root clearly describe his quality of leadership never witnessed before and little wonder even people from other climes are yearning for continuity of the unprecedented leadership. I can hear the stomach of intending aspirant in PKK running, their hearts beating fast in fear of contesting against a monumental achiever, detrabilised leader and enigma among his peers.
Gagdi is an embodiment of cerebral articulation, the essence of unparalleled philanthropy, the epitome of intellection and breathtaking simplicity, the personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul of humanity, the heart of warrior, the perfect gentleman.
According to Ronald Osborne “The people who succeeds are those that have the self-discipline to develop themselves”. Successful leaders never plateau; they never become static. Yusuf Adamu is a great man, a philanthropist, a motivator, and a political colossus who has channelled his political power positively to help inspire others.
Love or loathe him, Gagdi today is a factor in Plateau’s political circle. All those who knew and work close with him will attest to the fact that politics and leadership were woven into his DNA.
Gagdi is scoring high goals as a Federal legislator in manners that even his fiercest detractors and critics cannot wish away.
With Yusuf Adamu Gagdi indicating interest to contest the 2023 election, good people of PKK should not afford to miss him. The Danmalikin Kanam is an embodiment of democracy. He is imbued with leadership qualities such as tact, honesty and experience.
Our people can’t afford to let continuity of Federal appointments, construction of schools, palaces of traditional rulers, empowerment to the women and youths, support to the People Living With Disability (PLWD), unity among our diverse tribes, development of infrastructures and many more dividends of democracy slip off their hands.
Giving Gagdi second mandate in 2023 will make PKK constituents see his very best and rise to more prominency like Hon. Ahmad Idris Wase and Hon Beni Lar. His monumental achievements will continue to reach the doorsteps of many households. We shall be greater together with Gagdi 2023 and in God we shall continue to trust.
Kankimes Alghazali Mohd writes from Kanam LGA(Princekam75@gmail.com)
Freelance Reporters 