A massive crowd of stakeholders, youths, women and political leaders from the four districts of Mikang Local Government Area on Thursday declared support for Hon. Timdi Nkat (CFEI) to contest for the Mikang Constituency seat in the Plateau State House of Assembly, insisting that the area’s long-standing zoning arrangement must be respected.
The gathering, held on May 14, 2026, witnessed constituents openly rejecting what they described as an attempt by the incumbent Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Daniel Naanlong, to seek another term in office.
Supporters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Say No to 4th Term,” “Kick 4th Term Out of Mikang,” “Mikang Is for All of Us,” “Step Down When the Ovation Is High,” “Say no to Greedy Politicians”, “Support Zoning in Mikang”, and “Timdi for Mikang 2027.”
The constituents said their endorsement of Timdi Nkat followed his successful screening and was based on both his qualifications and what they described as an unwritten zoning agreement among the four districts of Mikang.
Among dignitaries present at the event were former House of Representatives member and ex-council chairman, George Deka, Vincent PRO Sec, Comrade Sylvanus Dalot, alongside representatives from all four districts of the local government area.
Speaking during the gathering, George Deka strongly defended the principle of zoning, describing it as the foundation upon which Mikang Local Government was created.
“I shed blood because of zoning. I am happy this happened,” he declared.
Deka explained that the four ethnic groups in Mikang — Piapung, Kenum, Tel and Garkawa — came together during the struggle for the creation of the local government because they felt politically marginalized while under Shendam Local Government Area.
According to him, although zoning may not be formally documented, it remains a gentleman’s agreement built on equity, fairness and unity.
He commended stakeholders from Garkawa District for resolving among themselves to present Timdi Nkat as their preferred aspirant, noting that the move reflected the people’s continued belief in rotational leadership.
Deka further urged party members to respect the direction of the party leadership ahead of the primaries, while maintaining that the people of Mikang had clearly spoken in support of zoning.
Another stakeholder, Innocent Tidsel, warned political parties, especially the APC, against presenting candidates who violate the zoning arrangement.
He argued that politics should not be treated as a do-or-die affair and suggested that Naanlong should pursue other political opportunities instead of seeking another tenure.
A key stakeholder in the creation of Mikang LGA, Barrister Chesil Drenkat, also spoke extensively on the history of zoning in the area.
He stated that the rotational arrangement had been followed from the inception of the local government and insisted that Naanlong’s third tenure only came through a court judgment after he allegedly lost popularity at the polls.
“Naanlong did first and second term with our backing. The third term was not through votes because he lost. The court gave him a third term,” he said.
Drenkat maintained that Mikang people had always believed representation should rotate among the four districts to preserve unity and fairness.
He warned that any political party that fields a candidate seeking what he described as a fourth term would face outright rejection by voters.
“If any political party makes the mistake of fielding somebody for a fourth term, that fourth term will be defeated flat before 11 a.m. on election day,” he said.
He added that the current Speaker still remained a son of Mikang and could aspire to other offices in the future, stressing that the agitation was not against any political party but about preserving the zoning culture of the people.
Also speaking, the leader of Timdi Women for Progress, Lohfe Shedrack, said women across the constituency were united in rejecting another tenure for the incumbent lawmaker.
“We agreed that every district must have its turn. We are saying no to the fourth tenure,” she stated.
A youth leader from Garkawa District, Kisven Hilnan, also defended the zoning arrangement, saying it was necessary to ensure fairness among the four districts that make up Mikang.
He said the people accepted the court judgment that returned Naanlong for a third term, but insisted that another attempt at re-election would not be accepted.
Another youth, Shepsing Vumbut, described the gathering as a clear statement from the people of Mikang that the time had come for power to rotate.
“You have represented us enough. Leave the stage while the ovation is still high,” he said.
Vumbut described Timdi Nkat as a capable and experienced young man with a proven track record, adding that constituents believed he would provide effective representation if elected.