The lawmaker for the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has been challenged by former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Hon. Dewan Kudangbena Gabriel to disclose his increased constituency allowances since President Bola Tinubu eliminated the fuel subsidy.
Dewan cautioned the federal lawmaker in an open letter to Gagdi to refrain from blaming state governors of failing to use the increased funding for the benefit of the populace.
In the letter, Hon. Gabriel expressed disapproval of Gagdi’s verbal sparring with the state’s political elite, particularly Governor Caleb Mutfwang, whom he has repeatedly charged with failing to employ the surplus funds for the state’s advancement.
Gabriel pointed out that since Gagdi has claimed that Nigerian governors are getting more money from federal grants, he, as a federal member, has also been getting more money intended for projects in his district and ought to have the guts to say it.
The letter says:
“My beloved older brother and Rt. Hon. Member,
Please allow me to pose a straightforward but earnest query, sir: Does the elimination of fuel subsidies only result in a rise in state funding?
Can we also be truthful enough to discuss how National Assembly members’ constituency intervention funds have increased since the elimination of subsidies?
“Sir, why do we continue to blame state governors without providing an equal explanation for the budget’s upward revision by the National Assembly and the interventions allocated to each constituency?
“As your constituent, I respectfully want to know how the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency has been involved in the constituency since the subsidy was removed. Transparency must be universal.
“I can confidently state that our constituency interventions have risen, even as your junior colleague in the Plateau State House of Assembly. During my tenure as Speaker, I made a public announcement about the 2024 constituency intervention, and when the 2025 one is revealed, I will do the same. That is our responsibility to the electorate.
“Thank you, sir. Respected Representative and loving older brother, I hope you have a productive new week.
