Posted by By ISMAIL OMIPIDAN on
For keen observers of the politics of Benue State, the annulment of the election of the Senate President, Senator David Mark, did not come as a surprise to them. Expectedly, the results of the two local governments areas - Okpokwu and Agatu - that gave him victory at the April 21, 2007 polls ahead of his political opponent and petitioner, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Maishanu a.k.a Young Alhaji, were cancelled.
For keen observers of the politics of Benue State, the annulment of the election of the Senate President, Senator David Mark, did not come as a surprise to them. Expectedly, the results of the two local governments areas - Okpokwu and Agatu - that gave him victory at the April 21, 2007 polls ahead of his political opponent and petitioner, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Maishanu a.k.a Young Alhaji, were cancelled.
As it stands, therefore, Young Alhaji is leading in the polls by about 80, 000 votes. Ordinarily, a fresh election in those Councils should be a walk over for Mark, any time, any day. Reason: Those are relatively his strong holds and that was why, in the fast instance, results from the two Councils gave him victory in April, at a time the ANPP thought it had carried the day.
Besides, if the so-called Nigerian factor is anything to go by, Mark's cordial relationship with the governor, Gabriel Suswan, would work in his (Mark) favour. Conservatively, Okpokwu alone has a voting population of about 70, 000 and with the former Council boss, Abba Moro still with Mark, winning the area may not be a problem.
The only snag is, can Mark afford to go for a fresh election without stepping aside as Senate President?
Already, the two most formidable contenders for his seat from the north-Central Zone, Senators George Akume and Nuhu Aliyu may not have the moral courage to push forward their candidatures.
But Akume, like Mark, has also had his victory upturned. Besides, the report of the probe panel that investigated what some of the Senators described as 'frivolous" allegations against the person and office of Mark, by Akume is still pending before the Senate. The election matter and the panel report are enough to edge him out of the race for the Senate presidency.
For Nuhu Aliyu, his recent volt face over allegation of the existence of 419ners in the Senate is a big minus for his credibility rating. And like Mark, his election is also being challenged in court.
For now, one Senator that is likely to show interest in Mark's seat is Senator Abubakar Sodangi, from Nasarawa State. He was one of those that showed interest in the seat last year. But he is Mark's man to the core. Can he hold the seat in trust for Mark if the situation warrants? But where has power, as intoxicating as it can be, ever been held in trust for anybody?
What is however sure for now is, except the Appeal Court rules otherwise, Mark may be on his way out of office as President of the sixth Senate, and ultimately out of the upper Chamber as a Senator representing Benue South Senatorial district.
But beyond the issue of succession in the Senate, all eyes seem now to be riveted at the Presidential Election Tribunal, which has slated Tuesday to give its judgment in the consolidated petitions filed against the emergence of President Umaru Yar'Adua by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (AC) and General Muhammadu Buhari (ANPP).
Would the ruling open a fresh flank for the Integrity Group, the die-hard set of federal legislators believed to be loyal to Atiku? The days ahead will tell.