Ahead of the February 20 senatorial rerun in Benue South, the leadership of Accord party, the 3rd largest political party in Benue State and some APC chieftains have entered into an accord with the ruling party, PDP, to facilitate the return of its candidate, Senator David Mark at the poll.
Rising from a joint session on Thursday in Otukpo, the leadership of both political parties unanimously agreed that the forthcoming senatorial rerun was a collective fight and that all hands must be on deck to protect the sanctity, honour and dignity of the Idoma and Igede nation.
The forum observed with the greatest dismay, the high – tension conspiracy that is currently plaguing the good and ever conscious people of Benue South and how the supposed elders who were been looked unto as “fighters of our common interest ” could cheaply subscribe to the baits of the enemies.
The stakeholders comprising of party elders, youth and women leaders of both parties across the 9 LGAs of the zone, however, vowed to remain firm and stand by the good people of Benue South and would for no reason whatsoever sell their birthrights.
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Speaking on behalf of the State Caucus of Accord party, former Senatorial Candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and deputy Governorship candidate of ACN in the 2011 gubernatorial election in Benue State, Alhaji Usman Abubakar (a.k.a. Young Alhaji) said the Accord party will not just sit down and watch the ‘corporate mortgaging’ of the entire Idoma Nation by a microscopic few who for their stomachs and those of their immediate family members would not hesitate to sell their fatherland into everlasting slavery.
“This is not the time to talk about political parties. This is not a time to mention which party you belong to. It is a time to ask questions about your paternity. It’s a time to ask questions if you are truly a son or daughter of Idoma or the Igede Kingdom. If you are, then let nobody preaches to you before you rise up to defend your fatherland.
“All hands must be on deck to fight this patriotic fight, regardless of your political parties. I’m not saying that we should decamp to the ruling party PDP; all I’m saying is that we should unite together for the purpose of the great fight ahead of us and I think any son or daughter of this land with our blood in the vein should not wait to be told to vote for Senator Mark.
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“Everybody is important in this course, either PDP, Accord and even APC should unite together for this fight. Remember, I was once a rejected stone, but today, I have become the Chief Cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing and it’s marvellous in our sight “, Young Alhaji submitted, reading Mathew 12:11-13 to the listening of the audience.
Also speaking, former Benue State Chairman of APC, Engr. John Enemari, the State Women Leader of Accord Party, Hon. Susan Emakwu, APC chieftain in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Hon. Elijah Obekpa, former Secretary to Ogbadibo LG and chieftain of PDP in Benue State, Hon. Imoni Abah, Hon. Anthony Amodu, Hon. Damion Omale and other PDP chieftains lauded the leadership qualities of Senator Mark and the many laudable projects he attracted to the district and promised to rise above party ideologies and vote for Senator David Mark in the rerun election.