The Member representing Langtang South constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa has been tipped to replace Rt Hon Gabriel K. Dewan who is expected to resign from the position for equitable distribution of political positions in the State
Rt Hon Dewan ascended the Speakership in December 2023 following the Court of Appeal ruling that removed the former Speaker, Rt Hon Matthew Thomas Sule and 15 other People’s Democratic Party PDP members from office. Dewan was at the time the House Minority Leader
Plateau State traditionally has a fair and balanced gentleman political sharing formula that has been in used since 1999 where key positions like the Governor, Deputy Governor and Speaker are rotated amongst the three senatorial districts
By the rotation, the position of Speaker is supposed to go to Plateau South but Dewan who is from Plateau Central like Gov Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has held sway to the position which distorts the zoning arrangements.
Though Dewan emerged as a child of necessity to steady the murky waters at the time, the political reality now has since changed significantly. Then it was widely feared that the APC dominated House (22 out of 24 members) might work to impeach Gov Mutfwang who is the sole survivor of the Courts ruling on the Plateau that axed all other winners from PDP on the basis of no structure.
Dewan helped to midwife a smooth transition from the removed former members to the newly sworn in members and ensured that the latter established a smooth working relationship with the Governor. As it stands, the APC members have turned out to be strong admirers of the governor to the greatest dismay of their party, the APC
Contenders To Succeed Rt Hon Dewan
As the agitation for the Speakership to return to Southern Zone intensifies, Trill Times News confirmed that three major contenders have emerged as favourites. Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa, Hon Naanlong and Hon Joseph Bukar representing Langtang South, Mikang and Shendam Constituency respectively
The permutations however seem to favour Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa for the following reasons:
Equity and Fairness:
Many power brokers are arguing that since Dewan is being forced to resign for equity sake, Langtang North and South which remain the dominant LGAs in Southern Zone and are yet to produce a Speaker should be considered.
Unlike Mikang LGA that had produced Rt Hon George Edward Daika and Rt Hon Matthew Thomas Sule, Shendam LGA has produced Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong, and Quaanpan LGA with Rt Hon Michael Dapialong, Langtang South LGA is yet to taste the exalted seat. In fact, despite being a major tribe on the Plateau, Tarok people are yet to produce a Speaker
Fellow LGA Chairman As Mutfwang:
Hon Bendal Nnacwat Domfa served as elected Chairman of Langtang South at the same time Gov Mutfwang was the Chairman of Mangu LGA. The duo developed a strong working relationship and partnership that will now be required to further protect Mutfwang’s government. To many political observers, the most reliable and trustworthy member the governor can work with smoothly like he did with Dewan is Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa
Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa is seen as a friend, colleague and confidant of Gov Mutfwang
Tarok Massive Support For Mutfwang:
Aside Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa as a person, one tribe Mutfwang is comfortable with is the Tarok people. Tarok and Berom are traditional support bases of the governor outside his native tribe of Mwaghavul. Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa emergence as Speaker will further galvanize the support of Tarok people for the governor come 2027.
Leadership Qualities and Advanced Age:
Many pundits and political kingmakers have alluded to Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa’s calmness, patience and understanding as critical qualities whosoever shall be the Speaker should have. This is because operating as an opposition assembly, the Speaker will further need those qualities to ensure that the smooth working relationship between the House and the Executive continues. These qualities Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa has.
Additionally, his advanced age is an edge because he wouldn’t jump into taking decisions out of emotions but will allow wisdom and understanding to prevail
Humility and Selflessness:
A member of the current Assembly who spoke to Trill Times News on the condition of anonymity said “Hon Bendal has no penchant for materialism and his always selfless. He is never desperate to accumulate wealth and this points to the fact that every Member will get what is due to him.”
“Despite his advanced age, he has remained so humble amongst us. In fact, sometimes I personally wonder why he is so meek and lowly”, the member added
Bearing any unforeseen circumstances, Hon Bendal Nancwat Domfa should smoothly ascend the Speakership of the State House of Assembly and bring to bear his wealth of experience having been Councillor on several occasions, Deputy Chairman and Chairman of Local Government
