Ex-Plateau assembly Speaker Gagdi joins Reps Speakership race

The member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gagdi, has joined the 10th House of Representatives Speakership race.

Daily Trust reports that other lawmakers such as the Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Idris Wase; Chairman, the House Committee on Appropriations, Muktar Aliyu Betara; House Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Aminu Sani Jaji, a former chairman of the House of Representatives committee on National Security and intelligence in the 8th Assembly who has been reelected to represent Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji federal constituency of Zamfara state are among those eyeing the Speakership position.

Gagdi, who currently chairs the House Committee on Navy, was Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly for eight years prior to his election into the House of Representatives in 2019 and has just won his re-election into the House for a second term in the just concluded National Assembly elections.

A close source to Gagdi said the Plateau lawmaker will officially declare for the race in a matter of days.

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The 10th House of Representatives is billed for inauguration in June 2023.

Born on November 5, 1980, the 42-year-old lawmaker had served in various other capacities before his present position which included Legislative Aide to Deputy Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2006; member of Plateau State Library Board 2012- 2014 and Chairman of Federal Board, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (LBRBDA Makurdi 2012 – 2014; Chairman of Special Committee on peace, security and reconciliation Plateau State 2015; Chairman Special Committee on Peace, Security and Reconciliation Plateau State 2018 as well as Financial Secretary of PDP Plateau State 2012–2014.

Meanwhile, a group under the aegis of Middle Belt Progressives Youths has urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to go for Gagdi as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The group in a statement in Abuja by its president, Danladi Ahmed, also urged the party to zone the Speakership position to the North Central geopolitical zone in the interest of justice, fairness and inclusive participation in governance.

Ahmed said Gagdi is a vibrant and versatile lawmaker who has all the requisite legislative experience and leadership acumen to pilot the affairs of the 10th House of Representatives.