INEC Declares David MarkWinner Of Benue SouthSenatorial Rerun.

The Peoples Democratic Party has won the
Benue South rerun election, making its
candidate, David Mark, return to the 8th
Senate, from which the court ejected him
a few months ago.

In Saturday’s election, Mr. Mark, former
President of the Nigerian Senate, (2007-2015),
was declared winner amid protests by his
challenger, who demanded that the election be
declared inconclusive.

The former Senate President defeated his sole
challenger, Daniel Onjeh, a 41-year old former
students’ leader, who contested on the platform
of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The rerun was conducted after the Appeal Court
annulled the March 28, 2015, election of which
Mr. Mark was declared the winner by the
Independent National Electoral Commission.

Declaring the results of the rerun at 5.51am on
Sunday, the Senatorial Returning Officer, Ishaq
Eneji, said Mr. Mark garnered 84,192 votes,
leaving a margin of 12,571 between him and Mr.
Onjeh, who scored 71,621 votes.

“Having satisfied the requirement of the law,
David Bonaventure is hereby declared the winner,
Mr. Eneji announced.

While 522, 713 were registered for the election,
only 165, 093 were accredited, indicating voters
apathy across the senatorial zone.
A further breakdown showed 159,557 was the
number of total votes cast, of which 155,813
votes were held valid while 3,744 were rejected
as invalid.

According to the results declared by Mr. Eneji,
out of the nine local government areas of which
the district is composed, Mr. Mark secured
victory in five local government areas: Ado,
Agatu, Apa, Otukpo and Okpokwu.

Mr. Onjeh won in four, namely Ogbadigbo, his
hometown, Ohimini, Obi and Oju LGAs.

Meanwhile, a total of 29,273 votes were
cancelled, higher than the margin of win of
12,571 between Messrs Mark and Onjeh.
However, Mr. Eneji declared Mr. Mark winner
despite protest by APC agent who asked that the
election be declared inconclusive.

SR