David Mark declared winner of Benue South rerun election

Mr. David Mark, former President of the Nigerian Senate, (2007-2015)

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

In Saturday’s election, Mr. David 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.
Mr. David Mark who defeated his sole challenger, Daniel Onjeh, a 41-year old former students’ leader, who contested on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Declaring the results of the rerun at 5.51am on Sunday, the Senatorial Returning Officer, Ishaq Eneji, said Mr. Mark got  84,192 votes, leaving margin of 12,571 between him and Mr. Onjeh who scored 71,621 votes.
“Having satisfied the requirement of the law, David Bournaventure is hereby declared winner, Mr. Eneji announced.

While 522, 713 were registered for the election, only 165, 093 were accredited, indicating voters apathy across the senatorial zone, Meanwhile, a total of 29,273 votes were cancelled, higher than the margin of win of 12,571 between Messrs Mark and Onjeh.

However, the Senatorial Returning Officer, Ishaq Eneji declared Mr. Mark winner despite protest by APC agent who asked that the election election be declared inconclusive.