Benson Abounu tackles David Mark over 20-year Senate tenure

Former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu, has said the 20-year tenure of former Senate President, Senator David Mark, was a product of the political circumstances of the time, arguing that such prolonged tenure would be difficult under today’s more informed electorate.

Abounu stated this in a video broadcast while discussing political developments in Benue South ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking about the evolution of democratic participation, Abounu said the political environment had changed significantly since Mark’s era.

“Do you think that if it were today, they would have been able to do 20 years? They would not do 20 years because of how the system was evolving. It was evolving. The democratic principles were nascent.

“But today, people are wiser, people are more informed, and people are much—they have feelings now that they didn’t have before.”

Abounu also spoke about his relationship with incumbent Benue South Senator, Abba Moro, saying his position on Moro’s possible third term was not motivated by personal grievances.

He recalled that Moro accompanied him when he went to collect his nomination form at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja.

“I can’t hate Abba because of maybe he did one thing or the other against me. But he also did one thing in my favour. The day I went to pick the nomination form at the PDP Headquarters in Abuja, Abba went with me. It’s something I cannot forget in a hurry.”

Abounu, however, acknowledged criticism against Moro over alleged political decisions during the 2023 election, but said he did not hold those actions against him.

He said his opposition to a third term for Moro was based on a principle he had consistently advocated, rather than personal differences.

According to him, he had already expressed the position in 2023 that Moro should be allowed to complete a second term, after which the Igede people should be given the opportunity to produce the senator.

“In the interest of Idoma Nation, in the interest of our brotherliness, in the interest of equity, fairness, and justice, that we should allow Abba Moro to contest for second term because it is a—it has become the norm.

“But that in 2027, Igede get ready, it is your turn. Did I say that or didn’t I?”

Abounu said his position on political rotation had remained consistent, stressing that he believed it was necessary for the development of the Idoma people.

“So it is not something of today. It is something that has been in me and I believe in it, and it is a principle that I believe is the only thing that will help Idoma to grow.”