Speakership Race: Gagdi Promises To Correct All Legislative Wrongs In 10th Assembly

A member-elect of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gagdi who is vying for the Speakership position of the 10th Assembly says he will correct all legislative wrongs in the National Assembly.

Gagdi made this known during the public declaration of his intention to run for the speakership position in Abuja.

He said that over the years some pertinent issues needed to be corrected and that as a speaker, he would make sure those things are corrected.

The lawmaker-elect said; “The House of Representatives is supposed to be the embodiment of our nation’s democracy. It is supposed to be the arena where members from across the country, representing every religion and creed, and multiple varied interests, negotiate the conditions of our nationhood and set the terms of our nation’s development. The hopes of the people for freedom, prosperity and a more secure life depend on the decisions we make in that arena as much as any other. For too long, the story of Nigeria has been a tale of promise unfulfilled and hope deferred. For too long, we have postponed the hard decisions upon which progress depends. We can no longer afford to fall short of the best expectations we have for ourselves and our country. We can no longer take it for granted that things will get better or that the bill for our mistakes will never come due. If Nigeria is to survive and go forward, we must change the way we do the business of government, and that time is now.”

Gagdi also said that the work legislators do in the House of Representatives can yield a more vital and more fulfilling life for all Nigerians.

He said; “The House of Representatives can be the place from where we launch the lifeboats that carry our people from poverty to prosperity, from insecurity to safety, and from fear to comfort. I am running for the Office of Speaker in the 10th House of Representatives because I know in my heart that the House can be better than it is, and our country will be better.”

The member representing the people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam in the 9th House of Representatives, also noted that he had the opportunity to observe and learn from his senior colleagues in the House.

Gagdi further said that he would ensure that millions of others can be saved just like he was, through education.

“Education saved my life; it opened my eyes to the possibility of a world beyond the one I was born in. With Education and the help of guidance and mentors, I made something for myself. My public service is inspired by the hard lessons of my own life. Education and opportunity saved my life, and I am determined to ensure that millions of others can be saved just like I was,” he explained.

Gagdi said; “When the 10th House of Representatives convenes in a few weeks, it will be the first order of business to elect the leaders who will preside over the next four years. Beyond the issues of capacity and capability, the choice of leadership will be determined by political calculations, considerations of tribe and religion, party affiliation and geographical balancing.”

Gagdi presented a manifesto that articulated his planned internal reforms and policy priorities for the House of Representatives.

He said; “I am presenting this document today because I want to initiate a national conversation about what the proper function of parliament in our country ought to be. It is also my desire to ensure that the campaign for the speakership of the 10th House of Representatives is informed by considerations of the substantial issues of our nationhood rather than the pedestrian concerns that too often influence our politics.”

The aspirant said the Nigerian people have rightly come to expect more from their parliamentary representatives and the ability of the House of Representatives to effectively meet those expectations depends on the quality, capacity and dedication of the members who serve in the parliament.

“It also depends on how the internal operations of the House are structured, designed and funded. It is not a good use of resources for the House of Representatives to spend all of its time establishing bills. It is an aberration of democratic practice for the oversight committees of the National Assembly to depend on the executive agencies under their purview to fund oversight activities. We need to open the operations of the House to the Nigerian people so that they understand why we exist and why it is worthwhile to expend scarce resources on our operations.

“We need to also ensure that the disenfranchised voices in our country are given an audience on the chamber floor and representation in the halls of the legislature…We need to make the House of Representatives a place or an arena of patriotic and intelligent discourse and enlightened, informed decision-making. Above all else, we must make it so that when the Nigerian people think of us, they remember us as allies and partners in a common struggle for the country we love. This is my vision for the 10th House of Representatives, as I have articulated in the manifesto I present today,” Gagdi explained.

He asked for the support of all Nigerians who share in his belief that Nigeria needs to embark on a new, constructive course.

Two books, “The Gagdi Plan and Compendiumum of all Works in the 9th Assembly” were presented to the public by the aspirant.

Goodwill messages by lawmakers also gave an insight into the life and times of the speakership hopeful.

Mercy Chukwudiebere