Rep: I’ll stop duplication of projects in national budget if elected speaker

Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the house of representatives, says he’ll stop project duplications in the national budget if elected speaker.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the lawmaker said he has the legislative experience required to be the speaker.

Gagdi said he has sponsored 12 bills, six of which have been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I think I have broken a record in the national assembly. I’m proud to say that if we have a Guinness Book of Records in the national assembly, I will enter that book. I have moved 18 sensitive motions on the floor of the house,” he said.

“I have seen a lot of wrongs in the national assembly that need to be righted in terms of budget which during the flag-off of my campaign I will tell you more of those things.

“How do I intend to stop the initiation of the proliferation of projects? Projects will commence with taxpayers’ money and they won’t be completed, another similar project will be initiated due to political interest. That is what is wasting taxpayers’ money. I have intentions to correct these.”

Gagdi, who represents Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke federal constituency of Plateau, currently chairs the committee on the navy.

The lawmaker is yet to formally declare his ambition contest for the position of speaker but has been touring the country consulting stakeholders across political parties.

On Tuesday, he met with Alex Otti, Abia governor-elect, and the Labour Party (LP) house of representatives-elect in Lagos.

The lawmaker said he has also met with 24 governors to speak to them about his ambition.

“In as much as I’m aspiring to be the speaker of the house of representatives for the 10th assembly, I equally want to follow the modus operandi of my campaign strategy where I have an itinerary of activities,” he said.

“Yesterday was the first public engagement I had, but silently I have visited 24 governors across the country but since I have commenced the public engagement I will increase the speed.”