Peter Duru
16 July 2008
Benue — Makurdi the Benue State capital erupted in wild celebration as the news of the Jos Appeal Court Judgment upholding the election of Senate President David Alechenu Mark filtered into town Tuesday afternoon grounding business and commercial activities to a halt same is the situation in Otukpo the headquarters of Benue South Senatorial district and political base of the embattled senator.
Reacting to the verdict of the Appeal Court judgment that upturned the ruling of the Makurdi Elections Petition tribunal which nullified the Senate President's election earlier in the year, the Deputy Governor of Benue State Chief Stephen Lawani who spoke on behalf of the state government described the ruling as a victory for PDP as a party and Benue State the home of the Senate President.
"His victory is to the benefit of the PDP and Benue State, our position has always been that he won that election and today's verdict is a confirmation of our stance as a government", the deputy governor said.
Chief Lawani who called for calm in Otupko following days of palpable tension in the town being the base of the two actors in the suit however noted that with the Appeal Court pronouncement supporters of both parties will take the judgment in good faith.
Also reacting, a PDP stalwart and bigwig from the Benue South Senatorial district and Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment Hon. John Ngbede described the verdict of the Appeal Court as a true representation of the wishes of the people of the senatorial district who voted massively for the senate President and the PDP in the last general elections.
He enjoined politicians in the state to close ranks and work for the progress of the state and future generation saying that it is not a hidden fact that PDP is the only party that truly exists in Benue state a position he said no one can contest.
Hon. Ngbede advised that politicians must learn to be good winners and good losers noting that power comes from God who alone rules in the affairs of men.
While the state PDP chairman Mr. Emmanuel Agbo described the victory of the Senate President at the Appeal Court as victory for democracy and confirmation of the will and wishes of the people of Benue South Senatorial District which was expressed at the last general elections in favour of the ruling PDP in the state.
A cross section of people who spoke to Vanguard noted that the state will now become calm following days of obvious tension that overwhelmed the state prompting the state police command deploying men to strategic positions in order to checkmate possible political clashes.
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