Stakeholders and youths from across Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday staged a peaceful rally in support of the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Naanlong Daniel Gapyil, endorsing his fourth term bid to represent Mikang Constituency in the 2027 elections.
The rally, held at Tunkus in Mikang LGA, attracted large crowds from the four districts of Garkawa, Koenoem, Piapung and Tehl, alongside political leaders, elders and supporters who also endorsed Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for a second term in office.
Speakers at the event described Rt. Hon. Naanlong as a performing legislator whose leadership qualities, political experience and developmental projects have earned him overwhelming support across the local government.
A major highlight of the rally was the reaffirmation by stakeholders that there was no existing zoning arrangement for the Mikang State Assembly seat, insisting that candidates should continue to emerge based on competence and acceptance by the people.
Former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly and Special Adviser to Governor Mutfwang on Rural Development, Dio Lamun, said the stakeholders had resolved during earlier consultations that zoning discussions should be deferred until after the 2027 elections.
According to him, the absence of any formal zoning arrangement in Mikang over the years justified the decision to support the Speaker’s re-election bid.
“There has never been zoning in this local government. Different districts have contested elections at different times. What is important now is peace, continuity and allowing the people to choose based on performance,” he said.
Lamun added that stakeholders agreed to revisit the issue of zoning after the next election in order to establish a framework for future political succession in the area.
Former Plateau State Commissioner for Education, Joseph Mairiga, also backed the endorsement, describing the Speaker as a compassionate and grassroots-oriented leader who has sustained the party structure in the area through personal sacrifices and support.
He said Naanlong’s contributions to education, youth empowerment and party development distinguished him from previous representatives.
“We cannot throw away somebody who has done so much for the people. He has a large heart and has consistently supported students, youths and communities across Mikang,” Mairiga stated.
Also speaking, former Executive Chairman of Mikang Local Government, Gabriel Dowda, said the massive turnout at the rally reflected the Speaker’s popularity and acceptance among the people.
Dowda praised Naanlong’s educational interventions, particularly the payment of examination fees and scholarships for students across the local government, irrespective of ethnic or religious backgrounds.
“In the history of Mikang, no representative has done what Naanlong has done. Paying WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees for students and supporting scholarships across the local government are clear examples of his commitment to the people,” he said.
National President of the Tehl Development Association, Longvel Linus Mentel, said politics should be driven by performance rather than agitation over zoning.
He noted that several lawmakers in other Plateau constituencies had enjoyed long tenures due to their performance and acceptance by constituents.
“The issue should be about performance. If a leader is doing well, the people should decide whether to retain him. Politics is about the choice of the electorate,” Mentel stated.
Similarly, former aspirant for the Mikang State Assembly seat, Benedict Peter, said despite previously contesting against the Speaker, he had now decided to support him because of his achievements and impact on the people.
“Naanlong has won the hearts of the people through service and performance. The crowd you are seeing here is proof that the people appreciate what he has done,” he said.
In a collective voice the 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.
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