On Tuesday 8th October 2013, Hon. John-Clark Dabwan, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly (PLHA) tendered his resignation from the position of Speaker and has returned to the house as member representing Mangu South Constituency. The circumstances that led to his resignation are not entirely clear; but it is a fact that every legislator has skeletons in his closet. The house had earlier threatened to impeach him on grounds that they (the House) had hitherto overlooked, and as it was reported in the media, he pleaded for understanding and leniency, but they rejected the offer –and thus he was forced to resign the speakership position.

On Tuesday 8th October 2013, Hon. John-Clark Dabwan, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly (PLHA) tendered his resignation from the position of Speaker and has returned to the house as member representing Mangu South Constituency. The circumstances that led to his resignation are not entirely clear; but it is a fact that every legislator has skeletons in his closet. The house had earlier threatened to impeach him on some grounds that they (the House), had hitherto overlooked, and as it was reported in the media, he pleaded for understanding and leniency, but they rejected the offer –and thus he was forced to resign the speakership position.

The house that once exhibited a harmonious working relationship with the erstwhile speaker suddenly revolted against him with two-third of the majority. As usual some of the issues around the debacle bordered around money – i.e., missing funds from the coffers of Plateau State MDGs projects. I guess this was money that was supposedly meant to be shared among the house members but was siphoned into someone else’s account. This money matter, among other issues, climaxed the agitations for the removal of the honourable Speaker.
In Nigeria, regardless of the magnitude of your crime, it is who is behind you (i.e., backing you), that matters than all the people opposing you. In other words, all these allegations would not have visited public ears if the political romance between himself and the Governor had not gone awry. To a very large extent, the Plateau State House of Assembly is controlled from the Government House. Actually, it wouldn’t be out of place to opine that it is actually an extension of the executive arm. The same executive powers that led to John Clark’s elevation to Speakership position was also responsible for his downfall. He probably didn’t realize that the same people pushing you up are those who are capable of bringing you down.

This whole episode reminds me of the famous play written by John P. Clark, ‘The Wives’ Revolt” just that this time it was not written but unconsciously orchestrated by John Clark Dabwan and it is not the ‘wives’ this time but the ‘House’ that revolted. Somehow he became victim of his own schemes and caprice. John Clark had a remarkable political ascension; he was an active unionist with the Local Government employees, he fought noble causes for local Government employees, he later became an Evangelist (I don’t know whether that title is still relevant now) and then later a reputable grassroots politician. He found favour with his political allies and was elected to represent his constituency under an opposition party. Dabwan was later wooed to join PDP and was re-elected for a second time as House member representing Mangu South Constituency in the PLHA. Thereupon he was ‘annointed’ as the Speaker at the instance of the Governor even when the idea didn’t go down well with the House Members (but who were they to oppose the hand that funded their campaigns?). Word even had it that Clark was “divinely” suggested to the Governor as Speaker of PLHA; well, I don’t know which “god” it is that has now changed his mind on the hitherto anointed one (i.e., Dabwan).

To replace Hon. John Clark Dabwan, Hon. Titus Alams was again ‘annointed’, against the wishes of the House by his Excellency. It is obvious that the path of least resistance was chosen because Alams is not really an old timer in the house and he is a downright loyalist of the Governor. However, I must point that Alams is a human being like Clark, as such, he is capable of making the same mistakes that Clark made. I would just summarize them:

OVER-LOYALTY: Clark had been consistently observed to be over-loyal to the Governor. Whenever there was any trouble in the house, Clark would be spotted at the Government house trying to appease the executive by liaising and furnishing key information in respect of House proceedings. One should not be surprised that he was used and dumped by them. If there must be anyone (or group of persons) a speaker or House member should be over-loyal to, then it must be his constituents because they are what remain when the chips are down.

INEPTITUDE: As Speaker, Clark lacked the technical ability and finesse to keep his House members loyal to him. He was probably too busy in the government house trying to smooch with the executive than finding time to interact with his house members on a one-to-one basis. Perhaps this all boils down self development. Having many academic qualifications may not make you apt but it will certainly give you and edge. For example, as Speaker, John Clark was numb about the Local Government strike even, when it strike was characterized by widespread civil disturbance and violence. The House has a role of checking the excesses of the executives but they cannot do so if the speaker of the House is not drawing their attention to it.

POLITICAL RIVALRY: Although this is inevitable in almost all political scenarios, it is a fact that intra-party and intra-constituency rivalry is not beneficial at all. It is no secret that Clark and Prof. Shedrach Best, the SSG, are bitter political rivals who have sharp disagreements as regards their choice for the next Chairman of Mangu LGC. It certainly appears they are having a clash on their prospective political aspirations too. Unfortunately, for Clark, Best held the aces and he used them effectively against Clark, or so we perceive.
As much as we hope and pray for the independence of the PLHA from the Plateau Government House, I also hope that Alams will not be used or allow himself to be used as a pawn. The Primary responsibility of the House is to represent the people in making and modifying laws that will control the excesses of the executive, satisfy the yearnings of the populace and pave way for an efficient democratic system.

By Bizum Yadok

Bizum is a political analyst and current affairs commentator who writes for ViewPointNigeria from Jos, Nigeria

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JOHN CLARK: THE HOUSE REVOLT AND MISTAKES WHICH TITUS ALAMS MUST AVOID by Bizum Yadok