The Senate President, Senator David Mark,on Sunday evening emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party primaries for Benue South Senatorial District.
Mark polled an overwhelming score of 384 votes.
His only challenger, Chief Mike Onoja, had shortly before the commencement of voting, withdrawn from the race, citing “interest and unity of the Idoma nation” as parts of his reasons.
In his acceptance speech, Senator Mark praised Onoja for stepping down, even as he dedicated the mandate to Idoma people.
He said he was humbled by the overwhelming endorsement by his constituents and pledged: “Whatever makes for the peace, unity and overall development of Idoma nation would be my guiding principle.
“We can work together for the common good of Idoma nation because we want to be exemplary. This is not about me but the interest of Idoma people.
“PDP will work hard and win elections in a free, fair and transparent system.
“We are on ground enough to win our elections creditably, be it presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship and state Assembly.
“People should congratulate us and not demonize us when we win in a credible and transparent process.”
Before withdrawing from the race, Onoja painted a rosy picture of his relationship with Mark, stressing: “I’m withdrawing from the race to endorse Senator Mark in tandem with the wishes of our people.”