BENUE SOUTH: IDOMA POLITICAL LEADERS ASK MARK TO WITHDRAW FROM

By Ede Ogaba Ede
 Driven by the need for political stability, peace and development, Governor Samuel Ortom has called on people of Benue South senatorial district to ensure that their expressed wish to be part of the nation’s political mainstream is not subverted just as a strident call has gone to Senator David Mark, the former Senate President to humbly withdraw from the senatorial re-run election and save himself the humiliation of a crushing defeat. Benue State Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu who made the call on Mark at an expanded caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Benue South Senatorial district held at Makurdi, said the best way Senator Mark could avoid the looming defeat is for him to step down from the contest, adding that the decision of the people of Benue South senatorial district to embrace the APC is irrevocable. He said that the contest is one that pitches the former Senate President and his personal ambition against the people and their desire to be part of the change agenda of the All Progressives Congress. Engr. Abounu explained that the decision by the Idoma people to reject opposition politics is a time-honoured one, collectively taken by them to prevent been obliterated politically. He disclosed that, for that reason, Senator Mark had always argued for the people to remain in the mainstream of the nation’s politics and, wondered why the Same Senator Mark would now turn round to ask them to do exactly what would afflict them politically and economically. Governor Samuel Ortom who commended the people for their strong support for the APC assured them that the acts of thuggery, ballot snatching and stuffing would not be tolerated during the re-run elections and that everything would be done to ensure that their votes truly count. State Party chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro expressed confidence in the ability of the party to win the election. He however charged members to brace up and work hard to ensure that the victory is incontestable. Comrade Yaro who accused the PDP of moving round to buy up Permanent Voter’s card form unsuspecting voters called on the people not to sell or give their PVC’s to anyone but to hold onto them as it is the symbol of their power. The party’s candidate in the Senatorial re-run elections, Comrade Daniel Onjeh assured the people of his determination to change the face of representation by giving them qualitative representation at the Senate. He stated that the contest is not between himself and David Mark but one between the people and the former Senate President. He lamented the lack of motorable roads, health facilities, industrial concerns and general lack of infrastructure of the constituency and blamed the former Senate President for closing his eyes to them. The caucus meeting which was attended by APC chieftains from the 9 local government areas in the senatorial district set up a central Senatorial campaign Committee to plan the campaigns which are expected to begin later in the month. The meeting received goodwill messages from prominent leaders of the party among them Chief Obande Obeya, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd) Hon. Nelson Alapa and Barr. Jacob Ajene