Contrary to the claims by the Benue State deputy Governor, Eng. Benson Abounu that the Idoma people are not being marginalised in the scheme of things at the state level, reports from the state suggests, serious marginalization is ongoing in the state.
A report by DayBreak Times says the Otukpo-born Technocrat has just been fed with a quantum doze of marginalization as his boss, Gov. Samuel Ortom refused to handover power to him as constitution demands.
The online newspaper reports that a Basketball Captain of Experience team and founder of the African Champion, Igoche Mark made this revelation in Otukpo on Saturday while addressing the Youths ahead of the senatorial rerun election.
Igoche Mark who has used his national and international connection severally to empower thousands of Benue youths in the areas of employment and basketball mentorship said he would not have bothered about the continuous marginalization of his people by the State might, owing to his stance as a detribalised fellow;” but when a handshake begins to go beyond the elbow, it becomes very unbecoming.”
The young philanthropist bemoaned the arrant neglect on the office of the number 2 citizen of Benue State by the Governor and observed that the only offence the deputy Governor committed was that he was an Idoma man and that was why Pastor Ortom decided to relinquish power to his fellow Tiv brother, Barrister Targema Takema who is not even the number 3 in the state hierarchy.
He, therefore, charged the youths to turn out enmasse on Saturday and use their hands to salvage the Idoma nation and the future of the land by voting for Senator David Mark.
“I know what you can do. I know you are very much on ground. The APC only exits on Facebook and not at the grassroots. That’s why they are planning and conniving with some security agencies through the state government to ensure our votes do not count.
“I charge you to come out enmasse and vote for PDP. Cast your votes and also ensure you wait behind and defend your votes. Our votes must count and be counted”, the soft spoken Igoche submitted.
Responding on behalf of the youths, Comrade Ododo Enefola said he dropped tears in his hostel at BSU Makurdi on the fateful day Senator Mark’s election was nullified.
According to him, the jubilation that greeted the camp of his Tiv fellow students was very demoralizing. He charged the youths to rise and defend the Idoma nation from the Antelopers and Charlatans.
“Just last week, we suffered another round of humiliation at the job interview by Jos Electricity Distribution Company in Jos when many Idoma applicants did not find their names on the list but our Tiv brethren were there in hundreds.
“This is just the beginning. We might be up for the bigger trouble if we do not use our hands to fight and defend ourselves on Saturday through balloting”, Enefola added.
In his vote of thanks, an opinion leader and Youth mobiliser, Hon. Agbo Okoko Ode said the Tiv elites are fighting Senator Mark over what he was able to attract to Benue South during his reign and they would be happy if they use some Idoma and Igede youths to remove Mark finally from the political space.
Hon. Agbo, a younger brother to Hon. Sam Ode also used the forum to condemn the recent defection of his brother and former Minister of State for Niger Delta to the APC.
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