• PDP links Agatu killings to his victory
From Taiwo Amodu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally issued a Certificate of Return to former Senate President, David Mark.
Mark recently won the rerun election for Benue South senatorial district. INEC National Commissioner, Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku presented the certificate to him at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Receiving the certificate, the immediate past Senate president declared that his victory at the rerun election would encourage him to continue to serve God and humanity.
“In the current democratic dispensation, I am the only Nigerian, till date, who has contested senatorial election six times, won six times and received certificate of return six times.
“When I got the fifth one, it was a great record for me but, when I got the sixth one now, it is also, a great privilege for me and I appreciate it. I want to assure Nigerians that I will do my work as a senator, representing Benue South.
“For the confidence, trust and love for me, I will continue to serve honestly with all my heart.
“My actions will be guided always with the fear of God,” Mark said.
The former Senate president further called for a review of the electoral process to stimulate robust participation.
“Whatever it is, we in the National Assembly will continue to improve on the electoral process.
“My prayer is that we will get to a level where people will vote freely without security agencies and without any problem that will disrupt elections.”
But, at the PDP secretariat, the Benue State chapter of the party led by its Chairman, Emmanuel Agbo alleged that the recent killings in Agatu Local Government area of the state was instigated by those who lost out in the recent, rerun election.
Agbo told the party National Working Committee, led by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff that the people in the area were being attacked for casting their votes for Senator Mark.
“Mr. Chairman, we have also witnessed massive attacks on several communities in Agatu council that have resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and property worth billions of naira.
“We were informed that during these attacks, which have been on for the past three days, an helicopter flew over the area providing supplies to the attackers.
“Whatever the case, we are disturbed at the silence at the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal and state governments to the suffering of the Agatu people.
“We are concerned that these killings have gone on unabated for several months resulting in thousands of deaths and destruction of property worth billions of naira without any attempt at a solution from the federal or state governments.
“We hope that well-meaning Nigerians and the entire world are observing the on-going political recklessness in Benue State under the APC-led state government.
“Mr. Chairman, I seize this opportunity to ask you to use your good offices to call attention to the plight of our people.
“We ask you to help us raise awareness on the developments in Benue South Senatorial District.”