By Paul Mumeh, Media Assistant to Senator David Mark.
Niger State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithfuls on Friday unanimously endorsed leading Presidential aspirant, Senator David Mark for the 2019 polls.
Senator Mark was Military Governor of Niger State between 1984 and 1986.
The party said the aspirant has demonstrated his leadership qualities, competence and uncommon patriotism to his fatherland over the years.
State Chairman of the Party, Mr. Tanko Beji who spoke on behalf of the delegates noted that the number of Presidential aspirants under the platform of the PDP is an indication that the party is the preferred choice for Nigerians.
He added that Senator Mark has a rich credential that unarguably stands him out among his competitors in the race.
According to him, this is payback time for his good works as the then Military Governor of Niger State adding “Your success is ours. I can assure you that with the 100 delegates of Niger State to the National Convention, we shall give you 98 percent.”
Director General of the Campaign Organization Senator Zainab Kure had reeled out the credentials of Mark and reminded the delegates of the need to endorse her principal because of his immeasurable contributions to the State.
She recalled that it was Mark’s introduction of free and compulsory education for the girl child during his stint as Military Governor of Niger that made the State produce the highest number of educated women in the Northern States.
In his remarks, an elated Senator Mark promised to accord Niger State a special status to facilitate her socio-economic development so as to benefit from its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), if elected.
Senator Mark implored the people to be steadfast with the PDP as the viable platform for the positive transformation of Nigeria.
Recall also on Thursday that scores of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elders and Senators in Akwa Ibom State endorsed Senator David Mark’s Presidential bid for the 2019 polls.
The party elders including former Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, Senators Aniete Okon, Emmanuel Ibok Essien, Effiong Bob and Helen Esuene in their separate submissions said David Mark stands tall above his competitors.
The party leaders spoke when Senator Mark’s Presidential Campaign train visited Uyo, the State capital to interface with party delegates ahead of the National Convention.
Specifically, Nkanga said “I worked with Senator Mark during our years in the military. I can attest to his strength of character, honesty, competence and capability. I can stand as a surety for him for this election.”
He however tasked Senator Mark to take a definite position on the issue of restructuring, “because the discomfort and ill-feeling among Nigerians over the state of the nation shows that something is wrong with our system.”
Senator Okon corroborated his position and tasked Senator Mark to raise his voice against the unabating killings and insecurity challenges ravaging parts of North Central States saying “we must learn to live together in a give and take manner.”
Senators Essien, Bob and Esuene all enlisted the delegates’ support for the candidature of Senator Mark saying that he has over the years demonstrated unwavering commitment, loyalty and patriotism to his fatherland.
Responding, Senator Mark assured that he will drive an all-inclusive administration that will bring everyone on board and give every section of Nigeria a sense of belonging if elected.
According to Mark: “I will identify areas where our States or zones have comparative advantages, encourage them to prospect on their areas of strength in order to guarantee healthy competition and ensure even development.”
He reiterated that his entrance into the presidential race is anchored on the genuine need to bring his wealth of experience and knowledge to bear in the service of our fatherland.