A group under the auspice of APC Progressive Forum has expressed dissatisfaction in the way and manner the House of Representatives Member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency is allegedly undermining the immediate past Governor of Plateau State and present Labour Minister, Barr. Simon Lalong urging him to discontinue.
The group said despite the fact that Barr. Lalong always carry the Lawmaker along in the scheme of things on account of their cordial relationship, it is obvious that all is not going well with the due.

The full text reads:

BETWEEN GAGDI AND LALONG, WHO IS THE ENEMY OF PLATEAU?

A PRESS STATEMENT BY APC PROGRESSIVE YOUTHS FORUM (PYF)

Everybody on the Plateau and even those outside the state is aware of the close relationship between former governor Simon Lalong and current Minister of Labour and Employment, and the Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, representing Pankshin/Kanke/kanam federal constituency of the state.

While many see it as mere marriage of convenience, it is however true that Gagdi has been one of the trusted allies of the former governor. Recalled that Gagdi led the group that purchased the APC nomination form that enabled Lalong to contest for senate.

Lalong had always carried Gagdi along in the scheme of things, particularly issues that has to do with the development of Plateau and its people.

This simply means that Lalong holds Gagdi in high esteem and so have always supported him even in his political journey from the being a member of the House of Assembly to House of Representatives.

There is no gainsaying the fact that Lalong is the leader of the APC in the state and so, we will not allow anyone, however higly placed to denigrate the place our revered leader.

Lalong led Plateau as governor for 8 years and ran a faultless government with avalanche of visible infrastructural development that has placed Plateau top among the comity of states in Nigeria.

But the unfolding event where Mr Gagdi is seen to be undermining the place of Lalong as leader of APC in Plateau unacceptable.

We have watched with keen interest, how Gagdi is making efforts to downplay the place of Lalong in an attempt to assume the position of the leader of the party in our state.

Gagdi is using his federal connection to become too overbearing, to the extent that he takes decisions without proper consultation with the leader of the party or even the chairman of APC in the state.

While many party elders and loyalists are lamenting over this development in their closets, we have taken the bold step to speak out because we believe in party hierarchy and Gagdi shouldn’t be allowed to undermine it.

The reason for Gagdi’s overbearing posture is not far fetched; he is claiming that he has invested over N20 billion in the governorship election up to tribunal and the appeal court and vehemently wants to be in charge so that when Nentawe becomes governor, he will recover his money with ease.

Our findings reveal that it is on account of the above that Gagdi has warned Nentawe not to have anything to do with Lalong anymore.

It is consequent upon this that both Nentawe and Gagdi were conspicuously absent at the INEC headquarters in Abuja last week when Lalong was issued a Certificate of Return having been declared the winner of Plateau South Senatorial Election by the Appeal Court.

Recall that the event attracted staunch members and chieftains of our great party from Plateau and beyond except Gagdi and Nentawe.

We also have it on good account that Nentawe doesn’t even pick Lalong’s phone calls or respond to his text messages.

While we appreciate the role of Gagdi in the victory of Nentawe, we want to draw his attention to the fact that Lalong remains the leader of the party in the state and should be respected no matter what.

We call on Gagdi not to chew more than he can bite, but trade with caution because the overall interest is to see to the growth of APC on the Plateau.

Long Live APC
Long Live Plateau State
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria

E-Sign
Rotgak Victor
Coordinator

count | 473

Plateau APC Group Urges Hon. Gagdi not to Undermine by Barr. Lalong