PDP says Idoma gods will punish those who accept David Mark's rice but vote against him

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) leaders have warned that Idoma gods will punish any voters who accept their rice gifts being handed out ahead of the Benue South Senatorial Constituency by-elections but then fail to vote for their candidate David Mark.

 

On November 28, the Court of Appeal nullified Senator Mark's election to represent the Benue South Senatorial seat after judges ruled that he was declared the winner illegally. Fresh elections must be conducted within 90 days and with Senator Mark already campaigning, the PDP has begun distributing bags of rice to voters.

 

Known in Nigerian political circles as stomach infrastructure, the distribution of food items to voters at election time is a regular occurrence. Items like yam, cooking oil, rice, noodles, chickens and cassava are all handed out to voters to entice them to vote for candidates whose names and emblazoned on the packaging.

 

However, knowing that it is just a gimmick to bribe them ahead of elections, many desperate and hungry voters accept the items but refuse to vote for the candidates. Sunday Ogebe, a PDP leader in Benue State has warned that anyone who collects anything from Senator Mark and refuses to vote for him will not go unpunished.

 

Mr Ogebe said it was unfortunate that people were beginning to blame Senator Mark over the under-development in the land, bearing in mind that he was not the state governor. He also expressed disappointment that some persons were rejoicing over the invalidation of Senator Mark’s election, forgetting the good thing he had done for the people of Zone C, particularly the Idoma natives.

 

 “Anyone one who says our able leader, David Mark should be voted out is an enemy of the Idoma community. A leader like Mark is not common and it is sad that we are chasing away a man who spent 16 years of his life representing the good people of our land at the senate.

 

"I heard some people condemning him for distributing rice and other food items to his constituents. This is a man that is out of job at the moment, so anyone who collects his gift and refuses to vote him will not escape the punishment of Alekwu, the gods of our land,” Mr Ogebe added.

 

He recalled that after serving the nation in the military, the love Senator Mark has for his fatherland made him to join politics. Mr Ogebe added that Senator Mark should also not be blamed for the failure to create Apa State so far.