TRADITIONAL RULERS, OTHERS ENDORSE MARK FOR ANOTHER TERM
One of the reasons they gave was that the senate president has embarked on so many projects. Some of the projects are completed while others are still ongoing. They opined that it would be to their best interest if he completes those developmental projects within the various communities under his constituency.
Some indigenes within the district equally shared similar view with the royal fathers; their reason is that Senator Mark have executed one project or the other in almost all the communities within his domain.
The senate president's admirers expressed satisfaction in the way he had been handling the affairs of the National Assembly for over three years. Some of them particularly stated that the National Assembly under Mark's leadership has remained focus.
The traditional ruler of Otukpo Town, Chief John Eimonye who is among those that have raised a clean bill for the senate president noted that he was not taken unawares by the performance in his constituency, adding that he had always attracted developmental projects to the geo-political zone even before he joined partisan politics.
According to him, 'Many of us who followed the antecedents of the Senate President over the years do not expect anything less than what he has done so far. Our Senatorial District will gain more if he was allowed to continue beyond 2011.'
Apart from the endorsement by the traditional rulers, students in the area also commended him for supporting them in their career.
The students and the authorities of the College of Education, Oju, Benue State recalled how their sufferings due to lack of portable water was brought to an end sequel to Senator Mark's intervention. He had provided them with a motorized borehole, which eventually put an end to their challenges.
The Sole Administrator of the College, Dr. Jacob Omenka reiterated that the borehole provided by the Senate President solved the perennial water problem in the college and its environs.
The elated administrator noted that for many years, scarcity of water in the institution had led to several conflicts between the students and the host community. 'David Mark Water', a coinage by members of the community to express their gratitude may have put an end to the water crisis in Oju.
Chief Bernard Ochepa, a former member of the House of Representative said lauded Mark for his remarkable achievements in various parts of Ado Local Council of the state, saying that such gesture have boosted the image of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
His words: 'The execution of projects by the senate president in communities in Ado Local Council has made campaign for the PDP very easy. It gives the members of the party a reference point with which to convince the people to vote for the PDP.'
However Chief James Edeh, another leader from Ado Local council said the senator have made dividend of democracy possible for the people.
'Politics is all about patronage and I can say that our council was one of the councils that have enjoyed serious patronage from David Mark.' he said.
Residents of Okpokwu Local council also commended the senate president for fostering execution of key educational projects in the area as well as the nomination for appointment of prominent sons of the council in federal boards.
According to the Local Council Chairman, Mr. Jacob Ogwuche, ' Our community has no regret standing by the senate president in his bid for another term in office.'
Mark in his reaction to the several encomiums on him said every politician is engaged in he a social contract with the people.
'For me I have a social contract with the people of Benue South Senatorial District which entails that I must positively impact on their lives to justify the mandate entrusted on me.
'The conviction of the people about democracy will deepen based on the service delivery of political office holders.'
He urged Nigerians to always demand accountability from their leaders. 'It is only in this way we can get the best of democracy and representative.' he said.
On the issue of election rigging and stealing of the peoples mandate, he urged Nigerians to take democracy more seriously than ever before.
Said he: 'The best way to protect the current democracy is through active participation. It is our responsibility to be part of the process of democracy. We cannot run away from it. That is the reason we must be part of the voter registration exercise.'
In the senate, Mark is known to have supported several bills. They include the Anti-corruption bill, Niger-Delta bill, Minimum Wage bill and the Universal Primary Education bill, while he was Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Mark initiated a strategy in conjunction with other stakeholders, which has resulted in an improved image for the Nigerian police, as well as an enhanced pay package. The Police Equipment Fund also received his support.