Stakeholders, political leaders and youths from across Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday declared that there is no existing zoning arrangement for the Mikang State Constituency seat, as they overwhelmingly endorsed the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Naanlong Daniel Gapyil, for a fourth term bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The peaceful rally, held at Tunkus in Mikang LGA, also witnessed a strong endorsement for Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to seek re-election in 2027.
The event attracted a large turnout of supporters from Garkawa, Koenoem, Piapung and Tehl districts, with many participants insisting that leadership and performance, rather than zoning, should determine who represents the constituency.
Speaking during the rally, former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly and Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Dio Lamun, said stakeholders had already met and agreed that there was no zoning formula in Mikang politics.
According to him, previous elections in the local government had always been open contests involving aspirants from different districts.
“There has never been zoning in this local government. People from different districts have contested over the years. Because of that reality, stakeholders agreed that zoning discussions should come after the 2027 elections,” he stated.
Lamun explained that stakeholders resolved to allow the Speaker complete his re-election bid peacefully while plans would later be made to establish a clear framework for future zoning arrangements.
He described Rt. Hon. Naanlong as a tested leader whose experience, performance and legislative influence had brought pride and development to Mikang.
Former Commissioner for Education in Plateau State, Joseph Mairiga, also dismissed claims of zoning, saying Mikang politics had never operated on such an arrangement.
Mairiga praised the Speaker for supporting students, youths and communities across the local government through educational interventions, empowerment programmes and grassroots political support.
“This man has done very well for the people. He has supported students, paid examination fees and sustained the party structure over the years. We cannot abandon such leadership,” he said.
Also speaking, former Executive Chairman of Mikang Local Government, Hon Bretet Gabriel Dauda described the crowd at the rally as evidence of Naanlong’s popularity and acceptance among the people.
He noted that the Speaker had distinguished himself through educational support initiatives, including scholarships and the payment of WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees for students across Mikang irrespective of ethnic or religious background.
“In the history of Mikang, no lawmaker has done what Naanlong has done for the people. His contributions to education and empowerment are visible everywhere,” Dowda said.
The National President of Tehl Development Association, Longvel Linus Mentel, urged politicians and supporters to allow the electorate decide based on performance rather than political agitation.
He argued that several lawmakers in Plateau State had remained in office for years because of the confidence reposed in them by their constituents.
“Politics is about performance and acceptance. If someone is serving the people well, the electorate should have the right to retain such a person,” Mentel stated.
A former rival of the Speaker, Benedict Peter, said he decided to support Naanlong despite contesting against him in previous elections because of the Speaker’s achievements and impact on the people.
“I contested with him before, but today I support him because he has proven himself as a leader who truly cares for the people,” he said.
In a collective voice during the rally, stakeholders said Mikang had gained significant political visibility and developmental attention under Naanlong’s leadership as Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
They listed projects and interventions attracted to the area to include road projects linking Lifid-Papung-Baltep and Lalin to Garkawa, fertilizer distribution to farmers, scholarships, payment of WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees, and empowerment programmes for youths and women.
The stakeholders maintained that the ongoing developmental strides and political relevance enjoyed by Mikang under the current leadership should be sustained through continuity and unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
