Former House of Reps member and one of the coordinators of David Mark Campaign Organization, Hon. Ada Mark-Ogbole has expressed optimism that David Mark, despite daunting opposition from few Idoma politicians, will emerge victorious in the coming Benue South senatorial re-run.
Mark, in a chat with DAILY POST in Abuja said it is unfortunate that despite the minority status of the Idoma nation, perfect unity was still lacking as there was no reason for an Idoma son or daughter to rise against their own son (David Mark) who had done everything possible for them while he reigned as the Senate President.
According to her, ‘’that Idomas are minority does not make them disadvantaged people, so we should use the minority status for our advantage. Infighting won’t help us. We need to come together to stand above all obstacles. We need to be united against external forces.’’
Speaking on why she feels Mark’s challenger, Onjeh should rather back out of the contest, Ada said, Onjeh was a green horn in the business of national politics. In an inference, she said, ‘’ I went to the House of Representatives at the age of 26. Did I have somebody who contested against me? Yes, I had people who were much older than me that contested against me. Even when someone was disqualified, they brought someone from my own clan who contested against me. I’m talking to young people now. If someone had advised me, I wouldn’t have gone to that House of Representatives.
‘’ If I had proper mentoring, I would have started from the scratch and grow with it. This is because politics is not a profession that one can start from the top. Look at some people that are older than me in the House of Assembly in some states, but I cannot go back to the House of Assembly now because I started from the House of Representatives. So if I can’t go back to the House of Representatives and I have political ambition, then the only positions I can go is the Senate or aspire for governorship.
‘’That cut short ones political life if you truly want to grow. In anything we do, we need to grow. I am not saying that Dan Onjeh has no right to contest for an election. Far from that! What I am saying is, for me, he should have started gradually and then he could grow and I think that is the advice I could give to my children and younger ones.
Speaking on those allegedly forcing Onjeh on Idoma people just to dethrone Mark, she said, ‘’Secondly, the issue of being brought by someone or being sponsored by external persons, is another big question. I am not saying he shouldn’t get money from people outside to contest. Why not? When people do election, they raise funds. But when the person begins to dictate to you on what to do, then it becomes a serious issue, especially when one becomes so haughty.
‘’ Some people are saying that Senator David Mark should have contested in the 2015 presidential election, but if you know the kind of person he is, you will understand what we are talking about. He believes in principle all his life. He went to the Nigeria Military School, so he grew up knowing that things have to be done in a particular way and in orderliness. That’s what we expect from his challenger. We expect him to follow such natural order,’’ Adah said.
Clearing the air on whether Mark carried out physical projects in Zone C, she said ‘’some people say Senator Mark didn’t do roads. If you take a look at the Rural Access and Mobility project, by the Federal Government, I think we got our fair share, but unfortunately I can tell you that he didn’t even know who they gave the contract to. I was the person who said we should go round and document some of these projects for tomorrow’s references and keep in the archives.
‘’In the last constitutional conference, there were more Idoma people than the Tiv people, the like of Prof. Ochefu, Gen. Ejiga, and two others were there while the Tiv had two representatives, meanwhile, they are the majority.
‘’Four Youths Centers were allocated to Benue State and all the four centres are in Idoma land – one in Agatu, Obi, Okpokwu and Ohimini LGAs respectively. We don’t advertise some of these things so that it doesn’t attract hatred for ourselves.
“Whether we like it or not, I don’t think we have ever had a minister like Abba Moro. There are things the Idomas have benefited silently that must not be announced. You and I know these things.
‘’I am appealing to everyone to support David, let him go back and conclude the good work he has been doing. I am sorry if I have offended anyone. I am just speaking out my mind.’’
Also speaking, Comrade James oche, one of the Youths Coordinators for David Mark’s campaign also told DAILY POST that the best thing that can happen to Idoma youths would be to return David Mark to the Senate. He said Idoma youths who have continued to benefit from David Mark’s projects will reap other unimaginable dividends if Mark is returned, calling on all Idoma youths to shun the ongoing campaign of calumny against the former Senate President.
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