Beware of David Mark, he’s an unrepentant coup plotter – Reno Omokri warns INEC

A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be wary of former Senate President, David Mark, describing him as “an unrepentant coup plotter” amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Omokri issued the warning while reacting to moves by a faction of the ADC allegedly considering taking its grievances against Nigeria’s electoral system to foreign governments.

He argued that INEC should remain focused on its constitutional mandate and not be influenced by what he described as politically motivated pressure from disgruntled elements within the party.

The commentator also revisited historical allegations surrounding Mark’s role during Nigeria’s military era, questioning his credibility in matters relating to democracy. He further criticised comparisons made between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former military ruler Sani Abacha.

According to Omokri, any faction within the ADC with grievances should seek redress through the courts rather than attempting to internationalise domestic political disputes.

He wrote below;

INEC Should Not Lose Sleep Over A Disgruntled Career Coup Plotter and Anti-Democratic Element



You can imagine David Mark, a former career coup plotter, who, according to Professor Omo Omoruyi, allegedly threatened to kill Chief MKO Abiola and reportedly said, “I will shoot Chief Abiola the day NEC pronounces him the elected President!”, now accusing President Tinubu of being like Abacha?



Was it not David Mark and Abacha that planned the coup that ousted Ernest Shonekan on November 17, 1993?



When David Mark and other disgruntled factional members of the ADC bought a jalopy political party, did they consult foreign governments or diaspora Nigerians? But now that their second-hand vehicle is predictably giving them the usual Tokunbo engine problems, they want to report Nigeria and its institutions to foreign governments.



Reporting the Independent National Electoral Commission to foreign governments, as the factional ADC just announced they plan to do, is a waste of time and effort. The David Mark faction of the African Democratic Congress should understand that Nigeria is a sovereign nation. We are not governed from foreign capitals.



And the Independent National Electoral Commission should not be beholden to a disgruntled former coup plotter. Their only loyalty is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.



David Mark and his fellow power-hungry discontents in the ADC should stop chasing shadows. Go to court and resolve your factional issues. Thankfully, the Court of Appeals has granted your faction an accelerated hearing. Take advantage of it to prove your case.



That their faction of the ADC does not want to do that speaks volumes. Why are they afraid of the court?



Reno Omokri



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