The farce of Benue Senatorial ‘sole’ candidacy

Since that farcical event however, a number ALGON members have come out to dispute any notion of unanimity in that decision.  Let’s get this straight: David Mark is without doubt an illustrious son of the Idoma nation, the pride of the people. He has adroitly played his cards in the politics of the country. Beginning […]

Since that farcical event however, a number ALGON members have come out to dispute any notion of unanimity in that decision.  
Let’s get this straight: David Mark is without doubt an illustrious son of the Idoma nation, the pride of the people. He has adroitly played his cards in the politics of the country. Beginning from being the chairman of Abandoned Property Commission after the civil war and a Director of Army Signals, Minister of Communication, Member, Armed Forces Ruling Council, Governor of Niger State, and now the President of the Senator for nearly eight years, there must be something in this man to have been given those responsibilities all these years.
He has used these positions to advance the cause of Idoma nation and also favour certain people in job considerations. He has therefore carried the burdens and yokes of Idoma people for too long. But the time has now come to lift those burdens off his shoulders and give another man the chance to continue where he has left.
But to say that he is the only person that should continue to dominate the highest political post in Idoma land, is seen by most dispassionate people as unfair to others.
To begin with, under whose authority were the so-called chairmen acting when they declared that it must be either Mark or no one else? Consequently, it must be said that the nine local government chairmen from the Benue South Senatorial District were only representing themselves and seeking relevance and other motives when they unliterary and arrogantly declared that the whole Idoma nation was part of their decision. Nothing can be further from reality.
It must also be added here that Mark aside, there are other equally, if not more, qualified seasoned individuals who can take the position of David Mark should there be equal opportunity, equity, transparency and justice in the selection and electoral processes that lead to the electing of the representatives of the people.
The allegiance of these people who canvass contrary platform is largely to their benefactor, and not the Idoma nation.
It is also the opinion of many people that those appointed either as minister or members of board of federal government agencies and parastatals through the influence of Mark use their position solely for individual benefits and immediate families and friends.
In terms of empowering the people, therefore many Idoma people believe that David Mark should not empower only his supporters but more other Idoma indigenes.
Questions are being asked whether those people he has influenced to be appointed to political offices represent the best brains the Idoma nation has. The fact is that the Idoma nation has not seen any meaningful impact from those he appointed as either ministers or to other positions to improve the quality of lives of the people.
Coming back to the nine local government chairmen that went to Abuja to purportedly endorse Mark as sole senatorial candidate, they should tell the Idoma why persons like Chief Mike Onoja, a tested former Permanent Secretary, Major General Onoja, Major General Ejiga, Dr Enyantu Ifenne and many others have been summarily excluded from consideration in slots that are meant for all qualified Idoma people.  
It is surprising that certain local government chairmen would play this ignoble role either by ignorance or coercion. What has David Mark done for the people of Agatu for instance for the nearly past 16 years he has been in the Senate when the Agatu people are aware that their support in allowing David Mark to get over 40,000 votes as against 7,000 by the Young Alhaji paved the way for his victory then?
It is also a fact that in Agatu Local Government there is absolutely no federal presence in that area, no federal schools, no hospitals, no water projects, no electricity project and no federal roads.
The growing chorus therefore is that Mark has had his time; and it is now appropriate and timely for the Idoma nation to have a change of baton to have other people tested. For how will the people know who will serve them best when they have no alternative to compare with? Many Idoma even believe that Mark should go beyond merely endorsing someone else as presidential candidate but should aspire to the highest position in the land and therefore groom others to take the senate position he should vacate.
David Mark being a democrat would not even want a situation where there is no contest and those who are by implication plotting that there should be no primary election may unwittingly be acting against his interest as he would prefer that all possible doubts as to his legitimacy of his possible candidature are removed.
To therefore undemocratically endorse one person and exclude others will not bring unity and harmony among the people. Let there be a level playing ground for all qualified aspirants to have their popularity tested in a free and transparent primaries. A level playing ground will not be achieved by the activities of some supporters of certain candidates when they destroy the posters and bring down the billboards of other contestants.  

Owoicho wrote from Makurdi