Mark assures Jonathan of 85% votes in Benue

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA—SENATE President, David Mark, has assured President Goodluck Jonathan of over 85 percent of the total votes that would be cast in Benue State. Mark yesterday ahead of the party’s presidential campaign rally today in Makurdi, the state capital. The Senate President and the Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswan also harped on a violence free election in the forthcoming general elections. Speaking at his Otukpo country home in the state yesterday, Mark said that the PDP-led Federal Government had provided enough dividends of democracy to the people of Benue State to guarantee a resounding victory for the party. He noted that the state PDP had maintained a winning streak in the state since 1999 and had every good reason to remain faithful to the party.“Given another opportunity, the PDP-led government would advance on its service delivery to the citizenry and make Nigeria much better,” he said. According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark also appealed to the people of the state to come out in large numbers to welcome President Jonathan to the state just as he canvassed for peaceful conduct of all the elections . He stressed that development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Meanwhile, the Senate President and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue state have canvassed for a violence free as well as credible, free and fair elections. They spoke during the flag off of Mark’s 2015 senatorial bid at Och’Idoma’s Palace Square in Otukpo. Specifically, Senator Mark said that PDP has remained the only national vehicle to deliver dividends of democracy to the citizenry and not what he described as the fringe parties or others with ideologies far from peace, unity and development. According to him, “We need to remain steadfast with the PDP. We need to consolidate on the foundations already laid. My mission and purpose is the welfare of our people. We want a greater Benue. We want a United, peaceful and Progressive Nigeria. This is my dream.”He listed educational projects, such as the establishment of university in his constituency, the multi-billion Naira Otobi water Dam, the Loko/Oweto bridge project as well as employment