Mikang Rerun: Ex-reps member Daika alleges attack on convoy

….Aide to Plateau Speaker Denies Claim

By Golok Nanmwa

JOS — Former member of the House of Representatives, George Daika, has alleged that his convoy was attacked by hoodlums in Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State amid tensions surrounding the ongoing State House of Assembly rerun election and collation of results.

Daika made the allegation during an interview on Sunday while responding to questions on reports of unrest in the area and delays in the collation exercise.

He claimed the attack was politically motivated and alleged that individuals linked to the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Naanlong Daniel, were responsible.

“Actually, it is true that I was attacked by some hoodlums,” Daika said, while making further allegations against the Speaker.

The former lawmaker, who hails from Mikang, also spoke on his past relationship with Daniel, saying he played a role in mentoring and supporting him at the early stage of his political career.

According to him, he supported Daniel despite reservations from some associates because of his belief in helping younger politicians grow.

“I believed we are meant to help each other and help young people to grow,” he said.

Daika further accused the Speaker of deviating from what he described as a long-standing political understanding guiding leadership rotation in Mikang Local Government Area.

He explained that Mikang was founded on cooperation among its constituent ethnic groups, including the K’num, Yom, Tel and Piapung communities, noting that the zoning arrangement was designed to ensure inclusion and fairness.

The former lawmaker maintained that many residents opposed any attempt to extend existing political arrangements beyond what stakeholders had earlier agreed.

However, reacting to the allegation, the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Eplong Philip, denied the claims, describing them as unfair and unfounded.

“The Speaker is a democrat and respects George Daika because he is a statesman and his elder brother. He is highly respected by the Speaker,” Philip said.

He added: “There is no way the Speaker will send thugs to attack him. What is the benefit of doing so? The information is unfair to the Speaker.”

Philip maintained that the Speaker remained committed to democratic principles and had no involvement in any form of violence.

The allegations and counter-claims come amid heightened political tension in Mikang Local Government Area as stakeholders await the conclusion of the collation process and announcement of results in the State Assembly rerun election.

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