TVC E. The Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusufu Adamu Gagdi, has said he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC) to guarantee peace, unity and development of Kanam local government.
Gagdi, who represent, Kantan Constituency, spoke while receiving the flag of the party from the ward leaders.
He said: “I am from Kanam local government and my local government is controlled by the APC while I was a PDP member.
“But, despite being a PDP stalwart, the APC government at the state level was so magnanimous enough to extend development projects to my local constituency in Kanam LGA.
“The road from Dengi down to Kwalmis, Hakimi, Gagdi was not only included in 2016 budget of the state, it has already been advertised for contractors to bid for its construction.That gesture by the governor, Simon Bako Lalong, was the motivating factor behind my action because that road project is historic and it touches on the lives of people of my constituency.
“If in spite of this good gesture from the governor I refused to join the ruling party in my state, I will deprive my people of dividends of democracy. I’m in politics for the sake of unity and progress of my people and to achieve that I have to join the party that will help me achieve that objective and I found such objectives in the principles of APC.
Gadgi added: “My decision to decamp is not for selfish interests. If Governor Lalong gives me the option to resign as legislator in the state to enable him extend infrastructural projects to my constituency and local government, I will gladly do so.
“Besides, the inclusion of the road project in the budget is something that has never happened in the history of Plateau State. I have lost my moral strength to remain in the opposition party after the gesture from the ruling party.”
The deputy speaker also informed the Emir of Kanam, Alhaji Babangida Muazu, in his palace that he defected in good faith. He said: “I have returned to the mainstream of Plateau politics in response to the clarion call by the people of my local government and I wish to be accepted by the royal palace”
Addressing party supporters in Dengi, shortly after receiving the party symbols, Gagdi urged his supporters to support the programmes and policies of the APC administrations.
The Emir of Kanam applauded the decision of the lawmaker to jpin the mainstream politics, saying it would attract more development to the emirate.
