Former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Dewan Kudangbena Gabriel, has challenged the lawmaker representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, to declare his increased constituency allowances since the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.

In an open letter to Gagdi, Dewan warned the federal lawmaker to stop pointing accusing fingers at state governors, whom he (Gagdi) alleged were not utilizing the increased allocations for the good of the people.

In the letter, Hon. Gabriel frowned at the way Gagdi has engaged in a war of words with political leaders in the state, especially Governor Caleb Mutfwang, whom he has accused on several occasions of not utilizing the excess allocations for the development of the state.

Gabriel noted that since Gagdi has alleged that Nigerian governors are receiving extra funds from federal allocations, then he too, as a federal lawmaker, has been receiving the extra funds meant for projects in his constituency and should also be bold enough to declare the same.

The letter reads:

“My dear Rt. Hon. Member and elder brother,

“Permit me to ask one simple but sincere question, sir: Does the removal of fuel subsidy only lead to an increase in state allocations?

“Can we also be honest enough to talk about the increased constituency intervention funds of members of the National Assembly since the subsidy removal?

“Why do we keep pointing accusing fingers at state governors without equally explaining the upward review of the National Assembly’s budget and the interventions attached to each constituency, sir?

“As your constituent, I humbly wish to know what the constituency intervention of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency has been since the subsidy removal. Transparency should not be selective.

“Even as your junior colleague in the Plateau State House of Assembly, I can boldly say that our constituency interventions have been increased. I publicly announced the 2024 constituency intervention during my time as Speaker, and I will do the same for 2025 when it is released. That is accountability to the people who elected us.

“Thank you, sir. I wish you a productive new week, my dear elder brother and respected Representative.

“By Former Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly,

Honourable Dewan Gabriel.”

‘Declare your constituency allowances’ – Plateau lawmaker, Dewan challenges Rep, Gagdi