02/09/2025
WAS RT. HON. DEWAN A PATRIOT OR VILLAIN? (By Shabul Mazadu)
There is an ongoing political debate in some quarters about the immediate past Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan while he held sway as the legislature helmsman. Some qualify him as a villain while some as patriot. But what was he?
To get the clear picture, the situation he found himself must clearly be understood and the way he handled the problem.
Dewan became speaker at a time there was massive tension and anger in the land; anger by constituents whose legislators were sacked by the Court of Appeal which they believed was the handiwork of the immediate past governor, Simon Lalong, a staunch All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwart using his closeness with the President of the Appellate Court. It was a situation of very high anxiety by members of the APC who were so eager to have their House of Assembly candidates who lost in the 2023 general elections to take over the legislature. The divide between the APC and the PDP supporters surpassed mere politics, but culminated into hatred and battle ready for serious confrontation of any sort. However, the aversion depended on the survival of Barrister Caleb Mutfwang as Governor.
It was obvious that the Federal Government which understood the severity of the situation handled it with care to avoid any breakdown of law and order due to inter-party confrontation which would have been very disastrous for Plateau. That was why modification ensued in the Supreme Court to retain the victory of the PDP governor; likewise the non-pressure mounted on the governor and the speaker to swear in the victors at the Court of Appeal from the FG. It must be clearly understood that in running a government, there are drastic measures and compromises made to avert dangerous situations that was why Chief Obafemi Awolowo said, “The aim of a good government is the welfare of the entire people under its jurisdiction. In pursuance of this aim, it is impossible for a government to please everyone. As long, however, as the government is satisfied that any given policy, measure, programme, or legislation will rebound to the greatest good of the greatest number of the citizens under its charge, it should be inflexible in its path.”
Dewan as Speaker was inflexible in swearing in the victors at the Court of Appeal despite several calls and attacks on his personality. His stance doused every tension until the time was ripe, then he sworn in the remaining House members and further resigned as the Speaker paving way for the APC to take over the House and the zoning of the speakership to its rightful zone based on the gentleman agreement. This fulfills the adage, “It’s not the beginning of the matter, but the end of it.” Though there was huge delay, the right thing was done which stemmed any form of political bloodbath that could have ensued and pitch brother against brother.
Dewan exhibited leadership qualities which were remarkable.
The revered US Clergy and strong advocate for justice, Rev. Jesse Jackson, said, “Leaders must be tough enough to fight, tender enough to cry, human enough to make mistakes, humble enough to absorb the pain and resilient enough to bounce back and keep on moving.” Dewan to a large-extend exhibited great leadership qualities. He was tough enough to face then ruling party in the state, the APC, and then strongest opposition, the PDP, at the 2023 general elections in a party without resources and structure, the YPP, and won. He did not consider his pocket, he did consider the gigantism of the APC and PDP, but as David faced Goliath with mere sling and stone, Dewan faced the PDP and the APC. This is a spirit of a tough leader who fights confidently.
He made mistakes too by replying people he shouldn’t have replied on social media. And despite the insults from his opponents, he absorbed and kept moving. Mistakes are inevitable, but taking correction is what counts more. Chief Obafemi Awolowo said, “It would be pretentious to suggest that we had not made mistakes, but which earthly institution is free from these unavoidable human frailties?”
His endurance and ability as a young man with the first experience in holding an esteemed high position in the state, to absorb the bashings from stakeholders, the media, the opposition and so many citizens for not swearing in the victors of the Appellate Court, unveiled his potentialities of determination, focus and purposeful leadership willing to die for the right course. And being exposed to the juicy position of the Speaker, he did not hesitate to leave when it was time to do so. He did not put up a fight and lobby to retain his seat, he considered the advantages of his leaving on the state and the government above his personal interest and resigned with pride. That was humility and selflessness.
Finally, Dewan will always be remembered for stabilizing the polity and averting serious probable bloodbath inter-political conflict. He consolidated the seat of the governor from the fear of impeachment, he swore in the victors of the Appellate Court, he vacated the seat for the leading party to control the House and allowed the zoning of the Speakership have its rightful course. He has achieved what he was elected as Speaker to do. Remember, it was his first experience as a legislator and an elective office holder.
Dewan is an asset that the state should not destroy, but prune and build.
