Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the house of representatives, has come under intense criticism for his comments on the Plateau gubernatorial dispute.
In a viral video, Gagdi who was addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters, was heard saying: “We have gone to appeal court and the final destination is the supreme court, and we will meet there. That is where we will know whom they know and they will know whom we know”.
Gagdi, who chairs the house committee on navy, made the comments before the court of appeal in Abuja sacked Mutfwang Manasseh as governor of Plateau state.
In nullifying Manasseh’s election and upturning the judgment of the tribunal, a three-member panel of the court led by Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, held that Manasseh was not validly sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the election.
The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the certificate of return issued to Manasseh and issue a fresh one to Nentawe Yilwatda, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Manasseh described the appellate court’s decision as a temporary setback, stating that he has instructed his legal team to file an appeal at the apex court.
The court of appeal had also nullified the elections of PDP members in the the senate and house of representatives including those of 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.
THE BACKLASH
On Monday, the PDP condemned Gagdi’s comment, calling on Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to probe the lawmaker’s “public boasting”.
The opposition party said Gagdi’s comments indicate that judgments of the courts on election cases are influenced.
“Nigerians were appalled by such boastings as also contained in a viral video by an APC leader, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives from Plateau State,” the PDP said.
“The conduct of the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel and the boastings of the APC is eroding integrity, potency and confidence of Nigerians in the time-tested saying that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
“More worrisome is that the public claim by the APC that it has persons even at the Supreme Court has directly put the integrity and honour of the highest temple of Justice in our country at stake.”
The legislator is also under fire on social media, especially on platform X, over the remarks.
See the reactions below:
