The political balance in Plateau State shifted on Wednesday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially took full control of the State House of Assembly following the resignation of the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan.
Dewan, who was elected on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), was the only lawmaker not affiliated with the APC. His sudden resignation paved the way for a new leadership, with the APC firmly in charge.
At an emergency plenary session held at the temporary Assembly complex in the Old Government House, Jos, APC lawmakers elected Hon. Nanloong Daniel, a former Majority Leader and member representing Mikang State Constituency in the 9th Assembly, as the new Speaker.
Also elected was Hon. Ajang Azi, representing Jos North West, who now serves as Deputy Speaker. Other key positions in the House were also filled by APC members.
Dewan’s resignation is believed to be part of a wider political agreement aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state following months of tension. Political observers see it as a strategic move to end the lingering power tussle between the executive and legislature.
The development follows a Court of Appeal ruling that removed all lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaving the APC with near-total control of the House.
Sources said Dewan’s exit followed a closed-door meeting involving Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Dewan himself, and other top political figures, held earlier in the day to resolve the leadership deadlock.
With the APC now fully in charge of the Assembly, many believe the move could push Governor Mutfwang, a PDP member, to consider defecting to the APC in order to align with the ruling party both in the state and at the federal level.
