A crossfire erupted today between the Plateau State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over calls for the removal of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Gabriel Dewan.
The APC is allegedly pushing for Dewan’s removal to align the leadership with the party’s dominance in the 24-member House, where it holds 22 seats, while the Labour Party and Young People’s Party each have one representative.
Notably, the YPP lawmaker, Dewan, serves as Speaker, reports The PUNCH.
The PDP, through its state Secretary, Emma Tuang, condemned the APC’s call, warning of its potential to destabilise the state.
The party urged the APC to prioritise Plateau’s progress over partisan ambitions.
PDP’s position
In its statement, the PDP expressed strong disapproval of the APC’s move.
“The Peoples Democratic Party, Plateau State Chapter, wishes to express its profound concern and unequivocal condemnation regarding the recent call by the APC Chairman, Hon. Rufus Bature, for the removal of the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan.
“This call is not only unfounded but also poses a significant threat to the hard-earned stability and progress that our state has achieved in recent years.
“The Plateau State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan, has functioned with remarkable stability, peace, and effectiveness. This stability has been instrumental in passing key legislation aimed at improving the welfare of our citizens, fostering economic growth, and enhancing social infrastructure,” the statement read.
The party further emphasised the need for unity and collaboration.
“The PDP urges the APC and its leadership to prioritise the state’s interests over partisan agendas. Instead of divisive tactics, we call for constructive dialogue and collaboration to sustain unity and development. Political power must serve as an instrument of progress, not a weapon for vendettas.
“Plateau citizens deserve leaders committed to upholding stability and fostering collective advancement. We stand firm in defending the democratic principles that safeguard our state’s future and implore all stakeholders to reject actions that jeopardize our shared peace and prosperity,” the PDP concluded.
APC reacts
The APC, through its state Publicity Secretary, Shittu Bamaiyi, fired back, accusing the PDP of manipulating the political system to its advantage.
The APC described the PDP’s stance as dangerous and divisive:
“As far as the PDP is concerned, there is nothing wrong with the Central Zone clinching both the executive and legislative leadership, despite the fact that the Speaker ought to have come from the Southern Senatorial Zone.
“Undoubtedly, the PDP’s disposition on the age-long leadership representation on the Plateau is cancerous because it portends a lot of danger for future leadership-sharing formulas,” APC stated.
The APC accused the PDP of hypocrisy and alleged that its actions have suppressed other zones.
The party said, “Beneath the specious narrative lies the sobering truth: fear of the unknown and a woven deception aimed at confounding the uninitiated.
“It is foolhardy and unimaginable to believe that all is well in the face of glaring oppression against the Southern Zone, which ought to have produced the Speaker.”
The APC warned of potential repercussions:
“Let it be known, particularly to the bellicose PDP supporters, that what is in the polity now is peace of the graveyard. When the chips are down, everyone will answer his father’s name,” Shittu said.
