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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