By Omoniyi David
A political pressure group, Benue Concerned Democrats (BCD), has rejected what it described as a plot by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, to hijack the African Democratic Congress (ADC), through a purported “Coalition for 2027.”
In a statement on Monday, BCD Convener, Arc Idoha Audu Anuga, dismissed the coalition as “recycled opportunism” aimed at forcing Mark back into relevance.
“Nigerians must not forget who David Mark truly is. He is no democrat,” Anuga said, alleging that Mark’s political history is rooted in what he described as “a failed and authoritarian playbook.”
He referenced Mark’s past support for the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), which opposed the June 12 mandate of Chief MKO Abiola.
Anuga also cited Mark’s controversial election victory over Alhaji Usman Abubakar, describing it as “one of the worst electoral daylight robberies in Benue history.”
Reflecting on Mark’s tenure as Senate President, he criticized it as “16 years of redundant leadership,” labeling the Senate under Mark as a “rubber stamp” and “arguably the worst-performing in Nigeria’s democratic experience.”
He further accused the former Senate President of leaving Benue South with “no federal projects, no legacy, not even a sustainable youth empowerment programme,” saying the people were left with “wasted years and dashed hopes.”
Warning the ADC to distance itself from Mark and his allies, the group claimed the “same old Mark” is backed by “a gang of expired political jobbers.”
“You do not fight democratic decay by recycling those who contributed to it,” Anuga stated, alleging that Mark is marked by “dictatorial tendencies, habitual abuse of office, and the harassment of opponents.”
The group concluded by declaring, “We, the Benue Concerned Democrats, reject David Mark’s attempted reincarnation in whatever form. Nigerians deserve a clean break from yesterday’s men.”
