We have followed with disbelief the assault on the collective will of the
Idoma Nation at home and in the Diaspora by the Appeal Tribunal in Makurdi
Benue state that voided the election of our Senator David mark and
consequently ordered a re-run.
We are further embarrassed that one Daniel Onjeh, the All Progressive
Congress Party (APC) candidate in the last senatorial election, has
continued to bask in the euphoria of that judgment by making unguarded
statements to the public.
The Idoma Nation has not degenerated to the level of fronting a Daniel
Onjeh to fly our flag. We are not in a position to question the verdict of
the learned Appeal Court justices, but we fear that the reason for the
annulment of Senator Mark election is not known to law. What has the
clerical error in the date signed by the Independent National Election
Commission (INEC) returning officer got to do with the outcome of the
election in which results were collated in the nine local governments and
signed by the agents of the parties? It is absurd, strange and an overkill
to cancel election on the basis of an error in date.
Nevertheless, the National Association of Idoma Students (NAIS) will
continue to support Senator Mark anytime, any day. We will vote for
Senator Mark because without him, most of us, including Daniel Onjeh,
would not have had access to education. His annual scholarship, under
David Mark Scholarship Foundation (DMSF) has always come to the rescue of
students especially the orphans and indigent students .
How can we forget the establishment of National Open University of Nigeria
(NOUN), Otukpo study center, for which most of us are beneficiaries? Can
we forget the multi-billion naira Otobi water project, addressing the
water problem in Benue state besides, hundreds of gainful employment
opportunities.
What about the construction of the Oweto bridge that is near completion
courtesy of Senator Mark. Have we forgotten thousands of Idoma sons and
daughters in positions of authority influenced by Senator Mark? We take
serious exceptions to Daniel Onjeh’s tantrums against our leader, Senator
Mark. What is more offensive is that this same Daniel Onjeh benefited from
Senator Mark. It is strange that Onjeh could easily forget how Senator
Mark paid his school fees at the Federal University of Technology Minna,
Niger state, before his (Onjeh) expulsion from the institution. Even his
movement to Ghana, did Senator Mark not contribute largely to the success
of it? How time flies. We may not know what is propelling Onjeh but we are
really alarmed by his audacity and arrogance against our leader. It is
strange and unAfrican for Onjeh to insult a man who paid his school fees.
This is absolutely unacceptable.
We hereby direct Onjeh to go back to his pay masters and tell them that
Idoma interest cannot be compromised. He should further inform them that
Idoma will not send their bag handler to the Senate to come and pick their
errands. We will do all we can within the ambits of the law to protect the
interest of Idoma nation by voting for senator Mark, no matter the
circumstances. He is our Father, our Idol, our Icon, our Emancipator and
Mentor.
signed
COMRADE IGOCHE EGWA
COMRADE OCHE TONY ONAZI
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
SECRETARY GENERAL
(NAIS)
(NAIS)
08061653062
08082263278