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Tag: Mark

  • Mark seeks peaceful election

    Mark seeks peaceful election

    • Young Alhaji leads coalition of parties for ex-Senate President

    Ahead of tomorrow’s rerun in Benue South Senatorial District, former Senate President David Mark has counseled his constituents to come out en masse to exercise their civic duty.

    He also urged the electorate to comply with the rules of the game by being law abiding.

    Mark, however, asked those fanning the embers of discord to think otherwise in the overall interest of the Idoma nation.

    In a statement in Abuja by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, Mark said: “Being in politics is a call for service and not a do or die affair,” because the paramount interest is the welfare and well being of the people.

    The Senator decried a series of unprovoked attacks on his supporters in the build up to the election and urged the people of Benue South not to be deterred by the antics of the opposition, but to demonstrate their civility by conducting themselves properly.

    Mark warned his supporters to beware of the antics of the opposition. It said: “The opposition may deliberately provoke them to disrupt the election, but you must stand tall and exercise your franchise within the ambits of the law.”

    The former Senate President also reiterated that the rerun election is about the welfare and interest of the Idoma/Igede people of Benue State and that only the people have locus standi to decide.

    “What we shall not accept is for external forces to decide who represents us. This is an election that affects the political destiny of our people. No outsider should decide for us. We must take our destiny in our hands.”

    A former opponent to Mark in Benue South, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, popularly known as “Young Alhaji”, has led a coalition of political parties in the zone to rally support for the re-election of the former Senate President.

    Young Alhaji told the people of the constituency, at a rally in Otukpo recently, to vote for the former Senate President “because he is the only political figure that can save the Idoma/Igede people from political extinction.”

    Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of Benue South, stood still as the stakeholders rallied support for Mark’s re-election.

    The rerun election is between the former Senate President, who is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressive Congress ( APC).

  • Benue South re-run: Day APC took over Mark’s home

    Benue South re-run: Day APC took over Mark’s home

    Uja Emmanuel, reports from Makurdi, that former Senate President, David Mark, lost much ground for APC on Saturday, January 23, 2016, when many of his close associates and aides openly deserted him and joined his APC rivial, Daniel Onjeh

    Former Senate President, David Mark, and his supporters in Benue South Senatorial District, otherwise known as zone C, would not  forget Saturday, January 23,  2016 in a hurry.  It was a day they wish never came to pass.

    Mark has remained a senator since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, representing the people of Benue-South, with nine (9) local government areas, two of which are Igede speaking tribe.

    For the 16 years he spent in the National Assembly, Mark bestrode the political map of the people of Zone C like a colossus. His word was law, his decisions were final; nobody dared challenge him.

    He made friends and enemies. For anyone to qualify for any political appointment or position of higher responsibility, he must have the backing of the former Senate President. He had both the knife and the yam and shared it the way he wanted. As a result, he was worshipped like a god.

    However, all that changed since the Appeal Court sitting in Makurdi sacked him from the senate.

    To worsen the situation, many of his closest political associates, aides, and friends have since then abandoned him.

    Among the top politicians, aides of David Mark from Benue South that have abandoned his People Democratic Party (PDP) and declared for All Progressive Congress (APC) at a rally held  in Government Day Secondly School, Otukpo, are former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Seven Lawani, Mark’s former Chief of Staff, Hon. Agbo Ogah and Deputy Director-General, Mark Campaign Organisation.

    Others are former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Sam Ode, and Minister of State for Education, Dr. Jerry Agada, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, during late Sani Abacha regime, Chief Mike Okibe now a business mogul, former PDP chairman, Agada Igomu, former SSG, Batholomy Oche, and Senator Godwin Okpeh.

    There were also Mrs. Ada Chenge, a PDP governorship aspirant, seven ward and local government chairmen of PDP, a former member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Oju State Constituency, Hon Igbiri Idaah, also dumped the party for APC.

    Over thousands of APC supporters from Benue State turned out to witness the defection ceremony, which the APC senatorial candidate for Benue South Senatorial District in the re-run election, Daniel Onjeh, also used to flag off his campaign.

    The APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, who was excited with the huge turn-out at the rally and the calibre of people that defected, said he has no doubt that APC will take Benue South Senatorial District.

    Governor Samuel Ortom said there would be enough security to ensure protection of lives and property and called on APC supporters to go all out to vote Daniel Onjeh.

    Chairman APC in Benue State, Comrade Abba Yaro, in his remarks, said with his close aides who abandoned him and his party into APC, David Mark has already seen defeat.

    The huge crowd of APC supporters took over all the nooks and crannies of the dusty Otukpo town. It was a day the remnants of PDP supporters took flight to unknown destinations as APC had a field day.

    The defectors, Dr. Agada, Ode, Lawani and Onoja said they left the drowning PDP for APC because of what Governor Samuel Ortom and President Buhari have done at both the state and national levels.

    They alleged that Mark advised them to remain in the main stream politics and that it would be fool hardy of them to still be in PDP when it is clear that nothing good can come from opposition.

    For the people of Benue South Senatorial District, change has come to stay and the re- run is as good as over going by the huge crowd that attended the rally.

    Those who spoke to The Nation said “David Mark has been left with a broken heart because those who defected to APC are the power brokers in Zone C, on whose toes the former Senate President has allegedly stepped and are now ready to take their pound of flesh during the re- run.

    Politics is however not mathematics, so observers are still waiting for February 20th, the day INEC has fixed for the re-run. APC supporters insist however that it is judgement day for Mark and his supporters.

     

  • Mark gets backing from Idoma professionals

    Mark gets backing from Idoma professionals

    A coalition of young Idoma professionals yesterday urged ex-Senate President David Mark to stand for the survival of the Idoma nation.

    The group vowed to resist external influence during the Benue South rerun.

    The coalition comprises young professionals from Otukpo, Ohimini, Ado, Apa, Agatu, Okpokwu, Ogbadibo, Obi and Oju councils in Benue South Senatorial District.

    A statement by the Media Assistant to Senator Mark, Paul Mumeh, said the coalition, led by its coordinator, Mr. Oche Odang Josef, visited the former Senate president at his Abuja home.

    It said the coalition insisted that Mark remained “our choice until the Idoma nation decides otherwise. For now, we have no reason to alter the equation.”

    The statement quoted the coalition as saying: “We are convinced about your leadership. We know how you have impacted on Idoma people. No matter the amount of treachery and mudslinging, we are committed to your leadership.

    “Those who think they can undermine the interest of our people and determine our destiny should think otherwise. No external influence will be tolerated in this election. We have our choice to make.”

    The coalition, the statement said, told Senator Mark not to worry about the election, adding: “You have done your bit as a father and leader. This battle is for us, your children. We cannot afford to let you down.

    “Those who want to test the will of our people should be ready for the consequences. Those being propelled to insult the sensibility of our leaders should not run away when the chips are down.

    “We crave a free, fair and credible election. We are not taking it for granted because the interest of the Idoma nation is paramount. “Senator Mark remains the conscience of Idoma people and there is no going back.”

    The ex-Senate president reacted: “I’m impressed with your commitment. You spoke from your hearts. I will not fail you.”

    He said he was for the welfare of the people.

    “I believe only the Idoma should decide who should represent them and not external forces. Nobody should interfere in our family affairs.”

     

     

  • Benue South: Mark, Onjeh in make or mar contest

    Benue South: Mark, Onjeh in make or mar contest

    Benue-South Senatorial election re-run between Senator David Mark of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Comrade Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is generating wide interest, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

    The Benue South Senatorial District rerun election between Senator David Mark of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and Comrade Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) has been scheduled to take place next month by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to the judgement ordering the rerun poll, it must take place within 90 days.

    It would be recalled that the Appeal Court sitting in Makurdi had in November last year, nullified the Benue South Senatorial District election held in April of which Senator Mark was declared winner. The court nullified the election on the grounds of substantial breaches of the Electoral Act. INEC recently said it was prepared to conduct the ordered rerun in the district.

    Candidate of the APC, Onjeh, a much younger man than his PDP counterpart, had challenged the victory of the former Senate President at the Election Petition Tribunal, alleging outright rigging, manipulation of votes and total inducement of the electorates. But the tribunal upheld the victory of the PDP.

    The tribunal presided over by Justice Dipeolu Mosumola had dismissed Onjeh’s petition against Mark and held that the petitioner, (Onjeh) failed to prove his case because, according to the tribunal, the document tendered by the petitioner were mere hearsay evidence.

    Dissatisfied, Onjeh proceeded to the Appeal Court in his determination to unseat Mark, who, but for PDP’s loss of its majority status in the Senate during the last general election, would have likely returned as Senate president for a third time, from the red chamber. He won and is now poised for a political showdown with the man many regard as the political godfather of the Idoma nation.

    Too close to call

    Ahead of the much anticipated rerun, anxiety currently pervades the air within the senatorial district in particular and Benue State in general as regards where the pendulum of victory will swing. Many analysts are of the opinion that the election for now, is too close to call.

    Dr. Phillip Saror, the state representative of the Centre for Good Governance (CGG), told our correspondent that either of the two candidates can emerge victorious at the end of the rerun election. According to him, opinions and preferences are sharply divided over the duo and their political parties.

    “The coming election is not easy to predict. It is not just about the candidates, it is also about their political parties. While it is unimaginable to say Onjeh, a political upstart, will defeat Mark, who is the undisputed godfather of Idoma politics, it is also difficult to say PDP will defeat APC anywhere in Benue state today.

    It is not just about whether or not Mark can emerge victorious again. It is also about whether the people of Benue are willing to trust PDP again. A lot of factors will come to bear on the election and at the end of the day, the outcome will go a long way in showing how the people of the senatorial district view Senator Mark’s numerous years as a political office holder,” he said.

    There have been strong agitations from some quarters within the senatorial district for Mark to pave the way for someone else, especially the younger generation, to represent Benue South at the National Assembly. The former Senate President has occupied the senate seat of the district since the return to civil rule in 1999, making him the longest serving senator in the country.

    But not a few are saying the legislative experience garnered by Senator Mark since 1999 should not be allowed to waste away. Such people believe that Mark is capable and can deliver dividends of democracy. To them, another term for him to serve his people as a Senator is not too much for a man of his political status.

    “Many don’t want to see the former Senate President disgraced politically, so they are urging the people to consider his political pedigree in the country and give him another chance. But the younger generation appears inpatient with Mark. Left to them, he is already on his way out,” Saror said.

    There is also the issue of whether the people of the district will want to remain in the opposition party. The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Benson Abounu, said that it would amount to political suicide if the Idoma people follow Mark blindly into opposition.

    “Do we now join the opposition today because David Mark wants to go for his fifth term as senator? Why does he still need four years at the Senate when in 16 years, eight of which he spent as the Senate President, he has been such a disappointment? Why does David Mark want the Idoma people to mortgage our future,” he asked?

    The Deputy Governor, who hails from the same local government with the former Senate President, called on the people of Idoma land to embrace the wind of change, reject the sinking PDP and vote for Comrade Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the re-run election.

    But the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement in Abuja recently, said the confidence of the party of retaining the senatorial seat is even stronger now that the alleged deceit of the ruling APC has become obvious to all Nigerians.

    Metuh described Mark as an asset to the nation, adding that he was sure the people of Benue-South would give him another resounding victory at the rerun election. He urged PDP supporters in Benue-South to resist any attempt to intimidate them, “especially in their determination to ensure an effective and result-oriented representation in the Senate.”

    Last minute maneuvers

    Perhaps conscious of the need to keep seeking the votes till the very last minute, the two contenders are now in a rat race for the support of the voters. Efforts to garner supports and endorsements are in top gear and the people of the district are being carried along in many ways.

    The senatorial district’s chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) recently endorsed Mark for the re-run election. A statement by Mark’s media aide, Paul Mumeh, said, the former senate president was endorsed by the Benue South chapter of CAN during a solidarity visit.

    The statement quoted the Chairman of the CAN chapter, Reverend Father Emmanuel Odufu, as saying the endorsement was a unanimous decision of their followers. “For us, we are pleased and very comfortable with you. Your sterling leadership qualities and record of achievements speak for you. We stand by you and we shall be with you all through,” Odufu reportedly said.

    The group listed various projects attracted by Senator Mark to the zone to include but not limited to the Multi-Purpose Otobi Water Dam, the Oweto/Loko Bridge, health centres, schools and more importantly, the annual scholarship awards to students.

    However, Idoma elders have thrown their weight behind Comrade Onjeh and the APC for the seat at the National Assembly. The group, under the aegis of the Idoma Elders’ Union, endorsed Onjeh as their candidate while advising Mark to bury his re-election bid.

    Speaking to newsmen in Makurdi, Okpokwu Ogenyi, the coordinator of the group said Mark does not believe that any Idoma man or woman can attain any position of high responsibility without his approval which he will never give unless allegiance is paid to him.

    “Mark is looking for a way to cover his shame as the people of Idoma are no longer ready to be further enslaved. Our position is that we want someone else to represent us at the National Assembly and that person is Daniel Onjeh. He is a young man we feel is capable of attracting development to Idoma land,” he said.

    The candidates

    Since the inception of the democratic experiment in 1999, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has remained in the National Assembly as the senator representing Benue South. He surmounted several spirited efforts to unseat him.

    Among those he defeated to remain the longest serving Senator in the country are General Geoffrey Ejiga (rtd), Major General Lawrence Onoja (rtd) and Alhaji Abubakar Mai Shano. He also overcame several attempts to get him unseated by the tribunals and the courts.

    Before emerging a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999, Mark had served the country as Minister of Communication and the Military Governor of Niger State during the military rule of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. A highly respected chieftain of the PDP, he is seen as one of the closest to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

    Comrade Daniel Onjeh became known in the country through his activities as a student union leader. He was the Zonal Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) Zone A between 2001 and 2002. He was then a student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

    In 2002, he contested and got elected as the President of NANS. His many battles with the Olusegun Obasanjo-led government back then endeared him to many Nigerians. He was rusticated from school on account of his activism. He was also arrested and detained on several occasions by the authorities.

    He emerged as the senatorial candidate of the APC in the last National Assembly election and during the disputed election; he was in early lead until the result began to change leading to the eventual declaration of Senator David Mark as the winner by INEC

  • Saraki, Mark, Dogara, Lasun, Ekweremadu, Adeola preach peace, love, others

    Saraki, Mark, Dogara, Lasun, Ekweremadu, Adeola preach peace, love, others

    Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President  Ike Ekweremadu led the National Assembly’s leadership yesterday in urging Nigerians to ensure that their actions are always predicated on peace, love and unity.

     In their separate messages to the nation, they enjoined Christian faithful to follow the footsteps of Christ and pursue peace, unity, and love towards all men.

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara,  in  his message, advised the citizens to use the occasion of Christmas to be their brothers’ keepers by reaching out to displaced people in camps across the country.

    House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun appealed to Nigerians to celebrate the Christmas in peace, in the spirit of the values taught by Jesus Christ.

    To former Senate President Senator David Mark, Nigerians should persevere under the present security and socio-political challenges, saying: “This period calls for sober reflection and a resolve to support the efforts of government to overcome the challenges.”

    The Senator representing Lagos West Solomon Adeola, on his part, enjoined Christians to remain committed to the ideals of Christmas to accord meaning to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

    Saraki, in his message issued by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, said peace, love and unity were crucial to the developmental drive of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and to ensure that the country takes its rightful place as a member of the global community.

    He noted that the country’s economic challenges as a result of dwindling revenue inflow into the Federation Account, was a passing phase which, he added, would give way to a better future.

    Ekweremadu said a nation divided against itself would never be able realise its full potentials.

     He said: “As we celebrate Christmas, I call on Nigerians to emulate the forgiving spirit and selflessness of God, who sent his only begotten son to save mankind from eternal damnation.”

    Dogara, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, enjoined the citizenry to pray for God’s peace.

    He said Nigerians have every reason to thank God for making possible for the country to witness yet another Christmas, amid the challenges facing it.

    “Christmas is a period for us to individually and collectively reflect on who and what made Christmas necessary, our values, virtues and ideals of unity, peace, godliness and tolerance, which Christ advocated and exemplified during his earthly ministry,” Dogara said.

    He emphasised the readiness of the National Assembly to partner with any organisation, group or person to build and rehabilitate areas devastated by  insurgency, especially in the Northeast.

    Mark called on both Christians and Muslims to embrace one another in the spirit of the season to commemorate the celebration of Christmas and Eid-el-Malaud, which, he said, calls for peace, love, unity and good neighbourliness.

     The former Senate President canvassed that citizens should imbibe the true teachings of Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

    Lasun appealed to Nigerians to celebrate the Christmas in peace, in the spirit of the values taught by Jesus Christ

    The deputy Speaker, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Wole Oladimeji, urged Christians to use the celebration of the birth of Jesus to reflect on the state of the nation and eschew acts capable of creating problems.

    Felicitating with his constituents and Nigerians, Adeola advised Christian faithful to see the celebration of Christmas as a time of sharing, love and a new beginning for a better future.

    The senator said: “The reason for the birth of Christ was borne out of God’s infinite love for mankind as God will not want to see the destruction of the world through sins without giving them a saviour and salvation.”

  • Mark urges people to defend their votes

    Ex-Senate President David Mark has urged Benue South people to defend the votes given him on March 28.

    He said the annulment of his election by the Benue Appeal Tribunal on account of disagreement in the date signed by the returning officer for no fault of his, was a challenge to them to come out en masse and demonstrate that they did not make a mistake in electing him.

    A statement by Paul Mumeh, the media assistant to Senator Mark, said he addressed the people at the weekend at his Otukpo country home.

    The statement said the senator stressed that the unfolding development was a call on his people to fight for their freedom from external forces.

    He advised them to go to the polling booths and prove doubting Thomases wrong, saying: “Attempts to jump ship on account of the challenges will amount to cowardice and bowing to evil forces.”

    The statement quoted Mark as saying: “For me, this is a battle for our future and survival. I will protect and defend the interest of the Idoma nation whether as a senator or as an ordinary man on the street.

    “What I will resist is for outsiders to dictate to us who should or should not represent us. At least, not in my life. We must take our destinies in our hands.”

    It said the senator listed the projects he had brought to his senatorial district to include the multi-billion naira Otobi water dam project, creation of jobs, the multi-billion naira Oweto bridge, which would facilitate the movement of goods to other parts of the country and establishment of cottage industries in nine local governments.

    The statement said he noted that it was on record that under the David Mark Scholarship Foundation (DMSF), he ran the biggest scholarship scheme from which about 20,000 graduates benefited since inception in 2005.

    Senator Mark said he built and donated the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Otukpo study centre in 2008.

    Said he: “I will invest in quality education for our people. I believe if we give them the best education, we will liberate them from ignorance, poverty and disease.”

    The former Senate president listed the schools and health care centres he built in the councils and challenged anybody in doubt to tour the senatorial zone to verify his claim.

    He noted that he was not discouraged by critics, who alleged he had not done much, saying: “I have my record of achievements. History will judge.”

  • PDP backs Mark for rerun poll

    PDP backs Mark for rerun poll

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it supports former Senate President David Mark, whose election was voided on Saturday by the Court of Appeal.

    The party said voters in Mark’s Benue South and other parts of the state would ensure his return to the Senate in a rerun ordered by the Appellate Court.

    Describing Mark as an asset to the nation, the party said it was sure voters in the district, who had supported the PDP since 1999, would vote for him to return to the Senate.

    A statement yesterday by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, hoped the party would reclaim the senatorial seat.

    It added that the “inexplicable” ruling of the Appeal Court, even when evidence pointed to Mark’s victory, as upheld by the lower tribunal, was another evidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was allegedly interfering in the Judiciary.

    APC’s candidate  Mr. Daniel Onjeh challenged Mark’s victory at the tribunal and headed to the Court of Appeal.

     

     

     

  • Appeal Court reserves ruling in Mark, Onjeh suit

    Appeal Court reserves ruling in Mark, Onjeh suit

    The Makurdi Division of the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in an appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Benue South.

    Donald Daniel Onjeh challenged the decision of the National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld the victory of former Senate President David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)).

    Onjeh’s lawyer Adetunji Oso urged the Appellate Court to allow his appeal and set aside the decision of the tribunal.

    He said the court erred when it held that the papers tendered by his client were mere documentary hearsay.

    The documents, according to Oso, demonstrated that while the collation of results for the Benue South Senatorial District’s election on March 28 was still going on in seven of the nine local governments areas, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mark winner of the poll.

    Ojo averred that the tribunal, in considering the material evidence before it in the unreported election petition between Avine Agbom and Martins Aza (2015), nullified the election of Aza (PDP, Makurdi North State Constituency).

    The appeal arose from the tribunal’s verdict, which was upheld by the Makurdi Division of the Court of Appeal.

    But Mark, PDP and INEC urged the Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

    Mark’s lead counsel Kenneth Ikonne noted that where figures or scores of an election were challenged, such evidence must come from election officers, in line with Section 126 of the Evidence Act.

    Ikonne said this did not happen in the instant subject of appeal.

    The lawyer urged the court to dismiss the appeal with cost and affirm Mark’s election victory.

    PDP’s lawyer Chris Alechenu drew the attention of the Appellate Court to the sixth issue in Onjeh’s brief, which he said was deemed abandoned since same was not argued in the matter.

    He urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

  • Saraki, Mark mourn Emir of Borgu

    Saraki, Mark mourn Emir of Borgu

    •Ahmed, Aregbesola commiserate with monarch’s family

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday expressed grief at the death of the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III.

    He described the late emir as a people-oriented monarch, who fought for the interest of his people.

    In a statement by his media office in Abuja, Saraki said the late emir was a “quintessential traditional ruler,” who lived for the benefit of his people and the development of the country.

    Saraki said: “It saddens me that such a vibrant and devoted leader could be snatched from us so suddenly. We are, however, consoled that he lived a worthy, progressive and eventful life.

    “His death is a great loss, not only to the traditional institution, the people of Borgu and Niger State, but to Nigeria.”

    Former Senate President David Mark expressed shock and sadness at the demise of the emir.

    In a condolence message to the government and people of Niger State, Mark said the death of the emir was a personal loss.

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed commiserated with the Borgu Emirate Council and the government and people of Niger State on the death of the emir.

    In a condolence message, the governor described the late monarch as a consummate politician, a statesman of note, a technocrat par excellence and a monarch with a Midas Touch, who impacted on lives far beyond his immediate domain.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola condoled with the family of the late emir.

    The governor described the late monarch as a detribalised Nigerian, who served the nation and his kingdom meritoriously.

    A statement by the Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, quoted the governor as describing the death of the emir and one-time senator and minister of the Nigeria as a monumental loss to the country.

     

  • Mark reaffirms faith in judiciary

    Mark reaffirms faith in judiciary

    •Onjeh appeals judgment

    Ex-Senate President David Mark yesterday reaffirmed his faith in the judiciary and the rule of law.

    A statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, said Mark was reacting to the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Makurdi, Benue State, which upheld his March 28 election victory as a senator representing Benue South.

    Mumeh quoted Mark as saying that “the judiciary remains the hope and defender of the rights of the oppressed.”

    The statement said Mark thanked the judiciary for standing for truth and reaffirming the mandate given to him by the Benue South people.

    It said the ex-Senate president promised to do everything constitutionally right to give his constituents the dividends of democracy.

    The Justice Mosumola Dipeolu-led tribunal in a unanimous judgment, which lasted two and a half hours, dismissed the petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Daniel Onjeh, challenging the election of Senator Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The statement quoted Justice Dipeolu as saying that Onjeh “failed woefully to prove allegations of rigging, multiple thumb-printing, overstuffing of ballot boxes, allocation of votes, intimidation, harassment and inducement of voters, among others.”

    It said: “The tribunal also held that the petitioner failed to substantiate any of his claims, which she noted was fatal to his case.”

    The statement added: “The tribunal therefore discountenanced scanty evidence of PW 18 (Expert witness) called by Onjeh because the witness under cross-examination accepted that there was error in his data analysis.”

    Mark is the longest serving senator. He was elected in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. He served as Senate president for eight years. Onjeh said he would appeal the judgment.

    Addressing reporters, he said he had instructed his lawyer to head for the Appeal Court.