Mikang Rerun: Former Lawmaker Daika Claims Convoy Was Ambushed

George Daika, a former member of the House of Representatives, has come forward with allegations that his convoy was ambushed by hoodlums in Plateau State's Mikang Local Government Area, where tensions are running high due to the ongoing State House of Assembly rerun election and result collation.

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Daika made these claims during a Sunday interview, in which he addressed reports of unrest in the area and delays in the collation process, stating that the attack was politically motivated and implicating individuals linked to Plateau State House of Assembly Speaker Naanlong Daniel.

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According to Daika, he has a history with Daniel, having played a role in mentoring and supporting him early in his political career, despite some reservations from associates, as he believed in helping younger politicians grow and develop.

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Daika expressed his belief in the importance of mutual support and helping young people grow, saying "I believed we are meant to help each other and help young people to grow," and further accused the Speaker of straying from a long-standing political understanding governing leadership rotation in Mikang Local Government Area.

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He explained that Mikang was founded on cooperation among its constituent ethnic groups, including the K'num, Yom, Tel, and Piapung communities, and that the zoning arrangement was designed to ensure inclusion and fairness, with many residents opposing any attempt to extend existing political arrangements beyond what stakeholders had earlier agreed.

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Eplong Philip, Press Secretary to the Speaker, has denied Daika's allegations, describing them as unfair and unfounded, and stating that the Speaker holds Daika in high regard as a statesman and elder brother.

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Philip emphasized that the Speaker is committed to democratic principles and has no involvement in any form of violence, saying "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."

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The allegations and counter-claims have arisen amid heightened political tension in Mikang Local Government Area, where stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the collation process and announcement of results in the State Assembly rerun election.