A group under the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State, the APC Progressive Youth Forum, has condemned the unfolding political issues between a member of the House of Representatives representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam federal constituency at the National Assembly, Hon Yusuf Gagdi and the immediate former Governor of the State, Simon Lalong, over who the leadership of the party in the State.
Speaking in a Press issued in Jos, the state capital during the weekend, the Coordinator, of APC Progressive Youth Forum, Rotgak alleged that the recent actions exhibited by Gagdi are seen to be undermining the place of Lalong as leader of APC in Plateau state which Victor said is unacceptable.
Rotgak alleged that Gagdi is using his federal connection to become too oppressive, to the extent that he takes decisions without proper consultations with the leader of the party or even the chairman of APC in the state.
The Coordinator in the press statement titled: “Between Gagdi and Lalong who is the energy of Plateau”, claimed that “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.
“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 the party hierarchy and Gagdi should not be allowed to undermine it.”
According to him, the reason for Gagdi’s overbearing posture is not far-fetched, saying that he is claiming to have invested over N20 billion in the governorship election up to the tribunal and the appeal court and vehemently wants to be in charge to recover his money when Nentawe becomes governor.
“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. He claimed.
” 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”, he said.
Rotgak further recalled that the event attracted staunch members and chieftains of their great party from Plateau and beyond except Gagdi and Nentawe who were absent.
“We also have it on good account that Nentawe doesn’t even pick up Lalong’s phone calls or respond to his text messages any more”.
The group Coordinator added that while they 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.”
Ratgak added that” 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 a 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 the senate.”
“Lalong had always carried Gagdi along in the scheme of things, particularly issues that have to do with the development of Plateau and its people.
“This simply means that Lalong holds Gagdi in high esteem and has always supported him even in his political journey from 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, no matter how highly placed to denigrate the place of our revered leader.
“Lalong led Plateau as governor for 8 years and ran a faultless government with an avalanche of visible infrastructural development that has placed Plateau top among the committee of states in Nigeria.”
