Urge Stakeholders to uphold Speaker Gabriel Dewan’s Leadership
Former President of Plateau Youth Alliance, Comrade Prince Miaphen, has cautioned against moves to unseat the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Gabriel Dewan, warning that such actions could trigger unnecessary political instability in the state.
Miaphen, a former Vice President (External Affairs) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), stated that given the unique circumstances under which Speaker Dewan emerged, disrupting the current arrangement could be counterproductive.
In a press statement issued on Saturday Miaphen noted that Speaker Dewan, a member of the minority Young Progressives Party (YPP), assumed leadership of the Plateau State House of Assembly following the Court of Appeal’s annulment of the elections of 16 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.
He said This unexpected legal development necessitated a reconfiguration of the Assembly’s leadership, and Dewan’s emergence was a constitutional response to the shifting political landscape.
“The emergence of Hon. Gabriel Dewan as Speaker was not an accident but a product of judicial and political realities that Plateau found itself in. His leadership has so far ensured relative stability in the Assembly, and any attempt to remove him at this stage could create avoidable chaos,” Miaphen stated.
He acknowledged the concerns of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which holds 22 out of 24 seats in the Assembly and has been advocating for Dewan’s removal on the grounds that the Speakership should be occupied by a member of the majority party.
However, Miaphen argued that while majority rule is a fundamental democratic principle, the present situation in Plateau requires a pragmatic approach that prioritizes stability over political realignments.
Miaphen, a vocal youth and student empowerment advocate, emphasized that Governor Caleb Mutfwang is making commendable strides in repositioning Plateau State for growth and development. He warned that an unnecessary leadership tussle in the Assembly could become a major distraction, drawing attention away from the pressing needs of governance.
“Governor Mutfwang’s administration has initiated numerous policies aimed at attracting investment, improving security, and strengthening the economy. Disrupting the Assembly leadership at this time will only serve to slow down legislative processes and introduce needless political tensions,” Miaphen stated.
He further aligned with elder statesmen such as former Governor Senator Jonah Jang, who has cautioned against hasty political decisions that could destabilize the state. Jang has repeatedly called for unity, stressing that Speaker Dewan’s leadership was “born out of necessity” and should not be tampered with hastily.
Miaphen, who is also a philanthropist and former Acting President of NANS, warned that removing Speaker Dewan at this time poses multiple risks, including political instability, legislative paralysis, and a loss of public confidence in democratic institutions.
“If we allow political interests to override stability, we risk turning the Plateau State House of Assembly into a battleground rather than a legislative institution that serves the people. The best course of action is to allow the current leadership to function until a suitable transition can be arranged,” Miaphen said.
He urged all political actors in the state to embrace dialogue rather than coercion in resolving grievances. He also appealed to the APC leadership and other stakeholders to support Speaker Dewan in the interim, ensuring that Plateau remains focused on its developmental agenda.
“Stability is Plateau’s greatest need at this time. Any transition in the House should be well-timed and executed in a manner that strengthens governance rather than weakens it. We must unite behind Governor Mutfwang’s vision and avoid actions that could set the state back,” Miaphen concluded
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