Tension is mounting within the Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the announcement by Yusuf Gagdi, member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam (PKK) Federal Constituency that he has emerged as the party’s consensus candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gagdi disclosed this in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Friday and sighted by BusinessDay on Saturday where he described the endorsement as “a mandate rooted in loyalty, service, and performance”.
According to the lawmaker, the endorsement followed consultations and assessments of his commitment to the ideals and leadership of the APC within the constituency and Plateau State.
He explained that the directive conveying his adoption was communicated through the personal envoy of Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau State governor alongside the executive chairmen of Pankshin, Kanke, and Kanam Local Government Areas.
Gagdi also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he said endorsed his bid for a third term in the House of Representatives.
“I remain deeply humbled by the confidence reposed in me by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who graciously endorsed my candidature for a third term bid,” he stated.
The federal lawmaker further appreciated Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman for what he described as unwavering support and confidence in his leadership.
He also thanked the Governor of Plateau State for identifying him as the preferred candidate of the party after what he termed close monitoring of his grassroots mobilisation, loyalty to party leadership, and contributions to the growth of the APC in the constituency.
According to Gagdi, stakeholders, appointees, and party structures from the state level down to ward and unit levels had been directed to align with his candidature for the House of Representatives seat.
He equally appreciated constituents for their support and commended aspirants who stepped down from the contest, describing their actions as a demonstration of maturity and commitment to unity within the party.
Gagdi currently represents PKK Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Navy.
However, the claim of endorsement has sparked sharp reactions within the party, with the Media and Publicity Committee of the campaign organisation of aspirant, John Tongshinen Gozhak, dismissing the announcement as false and misleading.
In a swift reaction, the campaign organisation said its attention had been drawn to “a completely fabricated and misleading statement being circulated by Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi.”
According to the statement, the move was “a desperate attempt to create panic, suppress participation, and discourage other aspirants and APC faithfuls in the ongoing election across Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency”.
“For the records, there was no such endorsement as falsely claimed. No official adoption took place. No legitimate consensus was reached. What Nigerians and APC members are witnessing is nothing more than a calculated political script hurriedly assembled to create a false impression of inevitability where none exists,” the statement said.
“The truth is simple: the election is ongoing, APC members are voting freely, and the people are making their choices. At a time when party faithfuls expect maturity, fairness, and respect for democratic principles, it is disappointing that an aspirant who should be selling his scorecard has instead resorted to manufactured endorsements and political intimidation tactics”.
The statement further maintained that the APC in PKK “is not owned by any individual,” stressing that the party belongs to members at the wards, polling units, and communities “whose voices matter far more than propaganda issued from press statements”.
“No amount of pressure, name-dropping, or staged political messaging can stop the momentum of the people. This election will not be decided by manufactured headlines. It will be decided by APC members at the grassroots,” it added.
The organisation called on APC faithfuls across the constituency to remain calm, focused, and resolute, urging them to ignore what it described as misinformation and desperation and to participate peacefully in the ongoing process.
The development comes amid indications of a fresh wave of withdrawals within the APC in Plateau State as several aspirants reportedly consider stepping down amid the National Assembly primaries.
Reliable party sources said that many aspirants across various federal constituencies were currently engaged in consultations and were expected to formally withdraw from the race in the coming hours.
The strategic withdrawals, according to party insiders, are aimed at fostering unity, reducing tensions, and positioning the party strongly for the 2027 general elections.
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