As reaction continue to trail the recently nullified election of the immediate past Senate president, David Mark, a group in the middle belt has joined its voice to the condemnation of the court’s verdict. The group under the aegis of All Middle Belt Youth Forum, (AMBYF), in a statement issued on Thursday, December 10, a copy obtained by Daily Post, frowned at the Appeal Court ruling that cancelled the election of the lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial district.
The group in a statement jointly signed by its National Leader, Comrade Moses Ojeh, and National Secretary, Comrade Andzayi Jabez Jonathan, described the annulment of the election as war against the Middle Belt region. AMBYE also stated that the court’s ruling was an insult on the people of Benue South Senatorial district, who voted in Mark at the election. The group, while condemning the court ruling said the verdict has no place in the electoral history as well as the country’s legal system.
They further alleged that the court’s ruling was the manifestation of the statement made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the state, that: “If we (APC) don’t win at polling units, we win at the courts.” The youth group called on the electorates in Benue South Senatorial district to make known their stance by re-voting Senator Mark at the re-run election.
“With regards to the nullification of the Rt. Hon. David Mark’s senatorial election not based on electoral fraud or manipulation, we register this as a war against the Middle Belt Region intended to deny the region right of participation at Senate by coming after one of their finest and distinguished Senate President emeritus who is by virtue of power and seniority also doubles as the PDP’s arrow-head at the National Assembly,”the group said.
Meanwhile, Senator David Mark, who was at the Och’Idoma palace at Otukpo yesterday, after the warm reception from the people, told the Och Idoma, Dr. Ikoyi Elias Obekpa, that the appeal tribunal has nullified his election and ordered a rerun, a development he said he had no choice but to accept it in good faith. Recall that David Mark’s election into the 8th Senate was nullified by a Court Of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, ordering a re-run election within 90 days. The Senator has, however, expressed optimism that he will emerge victorious in the re-run poll.