Reps member distances self from court verdicts sacking Plateau PDP lawmakers

Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the house of representatives, says he has no hand in the appeal court verdicts that nullified the election of the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau.

In October, the court of appeal sacked Simon Mwadkwon, senator representing Plateau north, and ordered a rerun.

The appellant court also nullified the election of PDP members in the house of representatives including, Peter Gyendeng representing Barkin-Ladi/Riyom federal constituency; Musa Bagos representing Jos south/Jos east federal constituency and Beni Lar representing Langtang north/Langtang south federal constituency.

The lawmakers were removed by the court over invalid nomination.

Gagdi, who is the chairman of the house committee on navy, said the PDP travails in Plateau are self-inflicted.

The legislator, who represents Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke federal constituency of Plateau, said the party failed to adhere to due process in conducting its primary election, which was the basis of the court’s verdicts.

According to a statement issued by his media office on Wednesday, Gagdi said there are “unfortunate and unwarranted” attempts by some PDP groups to vilify him for their losses at the tribunal and appeal court.

“We note with dismay attempts to drag the name of our principal, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, into the political tsunami that has befallen their party in Plateau State,” the statement reads.

“It is also a pity that their futile efforts at blackmail and mud raking are now hinged on a catchphrase which our principal has used since 2015: ‘we know whom they know, but they don’t know whom we know’.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the catchphrase is an affirmation of our principal’s belief and trust in God as the giver of power to whom He pleases, no matter the earthly forces against such a person.

“The PDP and its hired hands in Plateau state must desist from casting aspersion on the person and Office of the President of the Court of Appeal as any effort to throw mud at her will be stoutly resisted by all well-meaning Nigerians.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the President of the Court of Appeal is not a member of the panel handling the appeals from Plateau State and there is nowhere it can be imagined that she lobbied their justices to give the sound verdicts that have been given on the appeals before them.”

The lawmaker said any attempts to undermine the integrity of the judiciary when judgments are not in the opposition party’s favour is “dangerous to the dispensation of justice”.