RE: GAGDI IS SET TO INSTALL NEXT GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE (Shabul Mazadu)
It was funny reading an expression of chicken heartedness concocted as a writeup by a faceless person or group on Viewpoint, an online news medium dated 27th April, 2022, tagged ‘Gagdi is set to Install the Next Governor of Plateau”, thus; attempting to discredit Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, and whip out political hatred against him.
The writeup was merely and evidently born out of fear and malice.
Any person with tremendous achievements of Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, will surely intimidate political opponents without mentioning a word, because of the large presence of supporters and admirers won over by the feats which successful game of politics hinges on.
The writer of the article has clearly shown that politically, Gagdi is an intimidation to his ambition or that of his principal, that’s why they came up maliciously attempting to bewitch the state to form a negative opinion about him and to divert the minds of the electorates from his achievements to flimsy issues. This act is purely an act of cowardice. Chief Obafemi Awolowo said, “It is mean and cowardly, and an evidence of weakness and utter demerit, for any group of people to attempt to commend themselves to the public by the negative process of belittling and condemning others. Strong, courageous, resourceful and self-confident people are never afraid of rivals or competitors.”
It is evident and a fact that individuals don’t impose on Plateau State who becomes the next Governor. A typical example is then Governor, Jonah David Jang.
Jang as a sitting governor had the resources, all the 17 local government councils chairmen, political appointees and strong backing from the presidency, but could not form the Governorship in 2015. How then can someone alleged that a person who is in the House of Reps, without even the logistics at his disposal as the case was with Jang, boast of installing the next Governor? This is laughable. Gagdi is not a daft but an intelligent person, because only intelligent people represent their constituents remarkably the way he is doing. His bills passed into laws shows intelligence, so, he cannot be this daft to make such a boast. He knows that the people decide who governs them, that’s why in many fora he advocated for people oriented projects, excellent governance and excellent representation too.
On the issue of having a gubernatorial aspirant, Gagdi said that he has none, and that the one the party presents he will fully support. He said this on Sunday 24th April, 2022, in his office.
It shouldn’t be misconstrued, constitutionally and Electoral Act wise, Gagdi has the right to have his gubernatorial aspirant and sponsor him, but he denied himself that right waiting for the direction of his party.
The writer faulted Gagdi for being loyal to Governor Simon Lalong, when has loyalty to the Governor becomes a crime? Where in the constitution of the Federal Republic is it enshrined that a Federal Legislator should not be loyal to the governor? Let’s say it’s true, which is not, that Gagdi is lobbying the Governor to support his gubernatorial candidate, what is wrong with that? Will the writer not do same if he has a candidate? Will he sincerely tell us that he will not like the Governor to support his candidate? When has lobbying become a crime in politics? Hon. Benjamin Kalu, member representing Bende Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, confirms lobbying as part of the political game when explaining why some reforms brought by women were not considered in the constitution amendment. Is Seeking support for candidates from the electorates not lobbying? Is there a law that frowns at seeking support from the governor?
The clownish writer said, “Gagdi who in his foolishness thinks he is smart has gone ahead to create a group named; “Plateau Legacy Group” and had purchased both the nomination and expression of interest forms and by extention, endorsing Governor Lalong for Senate all in a bid to appease the Governor to make him (Governor Lalong) to endorse Gagdi’s Gubernatorial candidate.” Let’s say it’s true that he did that, when has creating groups in politics and purchasing forms for aspirants become foolishness? Is he saying that all those that bought forms for their preferred aspirants are fools? Except they don’t have the means, but supporters who are not willing to purchase forms for their aspirants have questionable loyalty and support. Is it wisdom not to have political groups? Which serious politician in Nigeria doesn’t have different groups of supporters? How can you be successful in politics without groups? If the writer has something against Governor Simon Lalong, and doesn’t see him as a hero, many don’t have anything against him and they see him as a hero.
There is nothing wrong with Gagdi picking forms for Lalong and asking him to contest the Senatorial election. There is nothing wrong in forming legacy group. Is Lalong not eligible to contest the Senate? Don’t people have the right to make him their choice?
It’s unfortunate that the writer of the fairytale did not put into cognizance Gagdi’s constitutional rights as a citizen of Plateau and as a politician.
Gagdi is a bona fide indigene of Plateau State and has contributed his quota immensely to its peace, progress and prosperity. He has the right to contest for any position just like any eligible indigene would do. He has the right to support whoever he wants for Senate, House of Assembly, House of Reps, Governorship and for Presidency. He has the right to partake in installing the next Governor. In fact he has the right to contest the Governorship of Plateau State and the Presidency of Nigeria. If anyone says he doesn’t have the right to the aforementioned, let them produce the law depriving him of them.
Any game that Gagdi plays so long as it is within the ambit of the law, is legal.
He is not an underdog, and should not be biaslly projected as one that should play the second fiddle.
Everyone involved in politics have vested interest and aspiration which hinge on the mercy of the delegates of the political parties at party primaries and electorates at the secondary election polls. And instead of the writer embarking on calumnious campaign of smearing reputation of Gagdi, he should channel his energy in marketing himself or his principal. Chief Obafemi Awolowo said, “What our people want to know above all things else is not the defect or incapacity of this or that organization, but the plans and programmes which we have for improving their lots and the relative merits of such plans and programmes which could be put into execution…”
Freelance Reporters 