Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has formally declared his interest in the race for speakership of the 10th House of Representatives, giving clues on reforms he would introduce if elected.
The lawmaker during his public declaration in Abuja on Saturday, promised to strengthen oversight by standing committees of the House, and make reports of such engagements accessible to the people through a dedicated website if he emerged at the inauguration of the new assembly.
On the pending zoning arrangement by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Gagdi appealed to the party to concede the speakership to the northern part of the country, while the north central geopolitical zones is given special consideration in the arrangement.
“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 for 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 we must change it now.
“The work we do in the House of Representatives can yield a more vital, more fulfilling life for all Nigerians. 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 of Representatives can be better than it is, and our country will be better for it.
“It has been the honour of my life to serve the people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam and all the Nigerian people in the 9th House of Representatives. I have had the opportunity to observe and learn from my senior colleagues in the House. It has been a privilege to serve under the distinguished leadership of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and to learn from his experience and expertise. I am grateful for his examples of leadership and service. I thank him for his service to our nation, and I look forward to building on his achievements in office.
“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, this is the nature of our politics here.
“However, it must not be lost on us in the midst of these other calculations that our highest obligation is to make the choice that ensures the 10th House of Representatives is able to meet the high expectations the Nigerian people have for this assembly.”
