The Sunday statement by Rt. Hon. George Edwards Daika titled "Power Belongs to the People" has left many citizens of Mikang wondering whether the former Speaker truly believes in the message he seeks to preach.

For a man who repeatedly invokes the supremacy of the people's will, it is difficult to understand why he appears uncomfortable with the very verdict delivered by the people during the APC House of Assembly primary election in Mikang Constituency.

If power truly belongs to the people, then their decision should be respected. If the people's voice is supreme, then their mandate should not be questioned simply because it did not favour a preferred candidate or political interest.

The people of Mikang participated in a democratic process and made their choice. They voted overwhelmingly for Rt. Hon. Daniel Nanlong, who secured victory across three of the four districts in the constituency. 

That outcome was not manufactured by any office holder. It was not imposed by any individual. It was the result of the collective decision of party members and stakeholders who exercised their democratic right.

This is why many people find it contradictory that Rt. Hon. George Daika is now speaking about people's power while appearing unwilling to fully accept the people's verdict.

The truth is that the ballot has defeated the narrative.

For years, politicians have spoken on behalf of the people. Today, the people are speaking for themselves. Their votes have become their loudest voice, and their decision cannot be altered through emotional appeals, political rhetoric, or attempts to rewrite the facts after the contest has ended.

The people of Mikang are increasingly rejecting politics based on entitlement and personal ambition. They are embracing a new political culture where leadership is determined by popularity, credibility, accessibility, and the ability to inspire confidence among the electorate.

Rt. Hon. George Daika has had the privilege of occupying some of the highest political offices available to any son of Mikang. He served as Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, served multiple terms in public office, and represented the people at the national level.

While those achievements deserve recognition, public service also requires accountability. Citizens are therefore justified by asking what measurable transformation those years of leadership brought to the lives of ordinary people.

How many jobs were created? How many young people were empowered? How many communities benefited from sustainable development initiatives? These questions remain important because leadership is ultimately measured by impact, not merely by years spent in office.

On the issue of zoning, the facts are already known. Rt. Hon. George Daika publicly acknowledged that stakeholders had agreed to address concerns surrounding zoning after the 2027 elections.
Consequently, all aspirants were given the opportunity to contest freely for the APC ticket.

Having accepted that arrangement before the primary election, it becomes difficult to justify attempts to revisit the matter after a clear winner has emerged through a democratic process.

Most importantly, the primary election reflected the will of the people. Rt. Hon. Daniel Nanlong's victory was not accidental. It was a direct expression of the confidence and trust that party members and grassroots supporters have placed in his leadership.

Democracy requires consistency. One cannot celebrate the will of the people when it aligns with personal interests and reject it when it produces a different outcome. The principles of democracy must apply at all times, regardless of who wins or loses.

Furthermore, no individual should assume the position of sole spokesman for the people of Mikang. The constituency is blessed with respected elders, stakeholders, youths, women, and community leaders whose voices are equally important. The people have their own voice, and they expressed it clearly through the ballot box.

As Christians and responsible citizens, we must promote humility, fairness, truth, and respect for democratic processes. We must also recognize that leadership is a trust given by the people and that the people's verdict remains the ultimate source of political legitimacy.

Today, Rt. Hon. Daniel Nanlong stands as the beneficiary of that mandate. His victory represents the aspirations of many citizens who desire unity, progress, and transformational leadership for Mikang Constituency.

The APC primary election has come and gone. The people have spoken. The result is clear. The mandate is unmistakable.

Rt. Hon. George Daika should therefore respect the very principle he now preaches.

If power truly belongs to the people, then their verdict must stand.

If power belongs to the people, then their choice must be respected.

If power belongs to the people, then no one should question the mandate they freely and overwhelmingly gave.

The ballot has spoken.

The people have spoken.

And the narrative has been defeated.