Thousands of stakeholders, youths and supporters from across Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday gathered in Tunkus for a peaceful rally in support of the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Naanlong Daniel Gapyil, whose performance in office was widely praised as the basis for his growing popularity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The rally, which drew participants from Garkawa, Koenoem, Piapung and Tehl districts, also featured strong endorsements for Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to seek a second term in office.
Speakers at the event repeatedly cited the Speaker’s developmental projects, educational interventions, youth empowerment programmes and political influence as reasons for the overwhelming support he continues to enjoy among the people of Mikang.
Former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly and Special Adviser to Governor Mutfwang on Rural Development, Dio Lamun, said the people were supporting Naanlong because of his visible achievements and leadership qualities.
He explained that stakeholders had carefully deliberated on the political future of the constituency and resolved that the Speaker deserved another term based on merit and performance.
According to Lamun, stakeholders also agreed that there had never been any formal zoning arrangement for the Mikang State Assembly seat, noting that aspirants from different districts had always contested freely.
“What matters most is performance and the will of the people. Rt. Hon. Naanlong has distinguished himself through service, experience and quality leadership,” he stated.
Former Plateau State Commissioner for Education, Joseph Mairiga, described the Speaker as a compassionate leader who had remained committed to the welfare of the people.
Mairiga said Naanlong had sustained the political structure in the area while also investing heavily in education and youth development.
“He has supported students through payment of WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees, scholarships and empowerment programmes. His impact is visible across the local government,” he said.
Also speaking, former Executive Chairman of Mikang Local Government, Gabriel Dowda, said the large turnout at the rally reflected the Speaker’s acceptance among the grassroots.
According to him, no previous representative from the area had matched the level of educational support and community interventions initiated by Naanlong.
“In the history of Mikang, no lawmaker has done what this young man has done. His support for students and communities speaks for itself,” Dowda remarked.
The National President of Tehl Development Association, Longvel Linus Mentel, urged politicians in the area to allow the people determine their leaders through democratic participation rather than unnecessary political tension.
He maintained that the issue should not be about zoning but about who had delivered quality representation to the people.
“Politics is a test of popularity and performance. If a leader is performing, the people have every right to support and retain him,” Mentel said.
A former rival of the Speaker, Benedict Peter, also threw his weight behind Naanlong, saying the Speaker had won the hearts of many through his commitment to development and service delivery.
“I contested against him in the past, but today I support him because of what he has done for the people. The crowd here today is evidence that the people appreciate his leadership,” he stated.
In a collective address presented during the rally, stakeholders highlighted several projects facilitated by the Speaker, including road projects linking Lifid-Papung-Baltep and Lalin to Garkawa, fertilizer distribution to farmers, scholarship schemes, payment of examination fees for students and empowerment initiatives for youths and women.
The stakeholders said Mikang had witnessed increased political relevance and development under Naanlong’s leadership as Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and called for continuity to sustain the gains already achieved.
