Our attention has been drawn to a report titled, “269 Reps yet to sponsor any bill in six months” published by Newtelegraph Newspaper on Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 wherein information about our principal, Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi, the Honourable Member Representing the good people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam was distorted.
Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have bothered to write this rejoinder because our Prinicpal performance in less than seven months in office has been the talk of town and has put to rest the dismal representation various constituencies in Plateau State have been subject to, but considering the manner certain persons have been circulating the said news on social media platforms mentioning the name of our superlative principal with the aim of presenting him as a non performing legislator in terms of law making before the public, necessitated that for record purposes, we state the true picture of what transpired as follows:
1. It is totally untrue that Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi is yet to sponsor any bill or motions in the 9th House of Representatives.
2. Since the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly on June 11, 2019, both chambers have jointly initiated 688 bills, with the House accounting for 499 and the Senate, 189.
3. These bills are at different stages of consideration, while some have been passed, including two executive bills: the 2020 appropriation and finance bills.
4.The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 sponsored by our principal, Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi has passed 1st, 2nd and 3rd reading and has been passed by the National Assembly awaiting the assent of President Buhari. It is instructive to note that Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi is the only National Assembly Member from Plateau State to have achieved this rare feat which is unprecedented. This can be confirmed in the House hansard of Wednesday, 18th December.
5. If those circulating the said publication for the purpose of discrediting Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi were very much familiar with the working of the NASS, they would have known that lawmaking is not about the number of bills one sponsors but the number he or she is able to get passed into law. To the glory of God Almighty, the bill of Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi awaiting the President assent will be signed into law. Already, one of his motion has come to fruition as NIN requirement as a precondition for the UTME and DE registrations has been set aside for this year’s registrations by JAMB.
6. Without sounding boastful, we wish to state unequivocally that Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi has performed credibly well in the areas of lawmaking, oversight, and representation which are the primary functions of legislators.
This rejoinder does not in any way seek to engage in competition with anyone but to set the record straight.
The past six months has been eventful as the good people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam have been trilled to an unprecedented representation never seen as close to two hundred constituents have been take off the labour market courtesy of Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi. Also a legislative blueprint has been unveiled among other interventions and by the grace of God Almighty, the days ahead presents better opportunities.
Signed
Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi Media Team.
MiddleBelt Reporters 