It should be expected any way! The winners are rejoicing while the losers are protesting. And that, of course, is the situation of things right now in Benue State – where the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, today, Sunday, February 21, 2016, declared former Senate President, David Bonaventure Mark, winner of the Benue South Senatorial Election.
The election held on Saturday, February 20, between Mark, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
According to the results of the election released by INEC, Mark polled 84,192 votes to defeat Onjeh who scored 71, 621 votes. A total of 29,273 votes were cancelled.
And that seems the bone of contention right now in Benue South as Onjeh’s agents are alleging that the bulk of the cancelled votes were at their strongholds, thus leaving Mark to smile home with victory. More so as very little number of votes were voided in the areas where Mark had upper hand.
Interestingly, amidst the protest and face-frowning, YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine learnt that the APC in the state allegedly just congratulated Mark on his victory. Thereby creating more confusion in their midst.
David Mark, in his 60s, is a retired Army General. A one-time Military Administrator and Communications Minister, this victory has paved way for his return to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the fifth time. Making him one of our most tried, tested and trusted law makers.