The Idoma Youth Vanguard have again taken stock of the unfolding event surrounding the annulment of former Senate President, David Mark election by the appeal tribunal in Markurdi, Benue State and told the All Progressive Party (APC) Benue south candidate, Daniel Onjeh pointedly to desist from making unguarded statements disparaging the Idoma nation.
The youth group, in a press statement signed by its president, Mike Ocheibi, cautioned Onjeh against the use of foul language against the Idoma people.
The group pointed out that Onjeh in one of his press statements described the Idoma people as the “most gullible people in the world” for believing and supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Senator David Mark.
They therefore demanded unreserved apology from Onjeh saying “you have a right to contest election but we also have a right to choose who to vote for.
“We did not make mistake in voting for Mark before and we are ready to vote for him again. we have had enough of these unwarranted provocative attacks on our illustrious son David Mark and the collective interest of Idoma nation,” the statement said.
“Let it be noted that we shall no longer tolerate this untoward behavior. As Africans and an Idoma in particular, we have a good culture and tradition. we have respect for our elders. Besides, a true Idoma man will not be a ready and willing tool to be used against the interest of his people.
“On this course , we are united in no unmistakable terms to defend the interest of Idoma. We have chosen David Mark and there is no going back , no matter the amount of blackmail and mischief.
“If people like Onjeh loaf around with mischief that David Mark has not done anything for the Idoma nation, we dare ask, who made professor Jerry Agada, Abba Moro, Grace Ogwuche, among others Ministers?
“Who brought the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Otukpo study center? Who brought the multi–billion Otobi water dam? Who facilitated the construction of multimillion naira Oweto bridge now nearing completion?
“Can Onjeh in all honesty deny profiting from Mark’s Education programs?
“Every year, since 2005, over 1,000 students benefit from Mark’s scholarship foundation (DMSF). At least 20, 000 Benue sons and daughters who ordinarily would not have had access to school are today graduates on account of Mark’s benevolence.
“Yet, the likes of Onjeh would be shameless to say Mark has not done anything for his people.
“There is no community in Benue South Senatorial district without a health center, school, or rural roads courtesy of Mark.
“Onjeh and his pay masters should be told in very clear terms that we are comfortable with Mark and we are not ready to take orders from outsiders on who should represent us. A word is enough for the wise,” the statement concluded.
