Despite the Plateau State House of Assembly being on recess since last December, there are signs that Governor Caleb Muftwang is considering changing the long-standing power rotation agreement by giving the speakership position to his own zone, the Plateau Central Senatorial District. This decision has surprised many, as the expectation was for the position to go to Plateau South, considering that the governor is from Plateau Central and his deputy is from Plateau North.
Governor Muftwang’s desire for the speakership position to remain in Plateau Central, his own zone, has caused controversy. He is actively supporting the current Speaker, Gabriel Dewan, who was hastily chosen during a crisis in the lawmaking chamber late last year. Dewan’s appointment was made after the governor’s party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), lost 16 members due to a Court of Appeal ruling that invalidated their election. This ruling led to the PDP becoming a minority party in the House.
- The fear of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gaining majority seats in the House and posing a threat to the governor has influenced his decision to support Dewan as speaker. The remaining eight members of the House, under pressure, elected Dewan from the Young People’s Party (YPP) as speaker. It seems that the governor has instructed Dewan not to reconvene the House in order to avoid inaugurating the 16 APC members-elect who were declared winners by the court.
- Governor Muftwang’s insistence on Dewan continuing as speaker, despite the zoning arrangement, has drawn heavy criticism. Previous administrations, even before the Appeal Court ruling that removed the 16 PDP members, adhered to the zoning arrangement. The three senatorial districts of Plateau State have traditionally taken turns in occupying key political positions, and the governor’s decision to deviate from this arrangement has sparked controversy and discontent.
