A group, the Idoma Youth Vanguard, IYV, has thrown its weight behind the ambition of the former Senate President, Chief David Mark, to return to the Senate, even as it warned the All Progressive Congress, APC, senatorial candidate in the Benue South rescheduled election, Daniel Onjeh to desist from making damaging statements against the Idoma nation.
The group, which made this call after taking stock of the unfolding event surrounding the annulment of Mark election by the Appeal tribunal in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, accused Onjeh of describing the Idoma nation as the most gullible people in the world for believing and supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Senator David Mark.
In a statement issued by its president, Mike Ocheibi, the group decried Onjeh’s use of foul language against the Idoma people and demanded an unreserved apology from Onjeh, stressing that “you have a right to contest election but we also have a right to choose who to vote for”.
According IYV, “We did not make mistake in voting for Mark before and we are ready to vote for him again. We have had enough of these unwarranted provocative attacks on our illustrious son David Mark and the collective interest of Idoma nation.
“Let it be noted that we shall no longer tolerate this untoward behaviour. As Africans and an Idoma in particular, we have a good culture and tradition. We have respect for our elders. Besides, a true Idoma man will not be a ready and willing tool to be used against the interest of his people.
Stressing its resolve to support Mark no matter the amount of blackmail and mischief, the group said, “If people like Onjeh loafs around with mischief that David Mark has not done anything for the Idoma nation, we dare ask, who made professor Jerry Agada , Abba Moro, Grace Ogwuche among others Ministers? . Who brought the national open university of Nigeria (NOUN) Otukpo study center ?, who brought the multi–Billion Otobi water dam, who facilitated the construction of multimillion naira Oweto bridge now nearing completion?”
While further pointing out the achievements of Mark, Ocheibi said: “Every year, since 2005, over 1,000 students benefit from Mark’s scholaship foundation (DMSF). At least 20, 000 Benue sons and daughters who ordinarily would not have had access to school are today graduates on account of Mark’s benevolence.
“Yet, the likes of Onjeh will be shameless to say Mark has not done anything for his people.
He further noted that “no community in Benue south Senatorial district without a health center, school or rural roads courtesy of Mark.”
IYV ended its statement by reiterating the determination of the Idoma nation to support the ex-Senate President’s bid to reclaim his mandate.
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