EDITORIAL: Wike’s attack on David Mark is a slap to the Idoma Nation

As the trusted mouthpiece of the Idoma people, Idoma Voice condemns in the strongest terms the recent attack by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on our revered elder statesman and former Senate President, David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark.

During his monthly media chat on Thursday, Wike ridiculed Senator Mark following his emergence as interim national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). 

His comment was not only unwarranted but reeked of political arrogance, disrespect and a gross underestimation of a man who has given his entire life to the service of this country.

Let us be clear: Senator David Mark has achieved 100 times what Wike can never dream of achieving. 

Here is a man who fought valiantly as a young soldier to keep Nigeria united, rising through the ranks to become a Brigadier General. 

In his mid-30s, when many were still searching for direction, Mark had already served as military governor of Niger State, a role he earned through brilliance, discipline and patriotism.

When Wike was still in secondary school, David Mark had already become Minister of Communications and would go on to serve in several other critical national roles. 

He became a senator,and then Senate President, not once, but twice and remains one of the longest-serving lawmakers in Nigeria’s history. His tenure brought stability, maturity and dignity to the Red Chamber.

Ironically, the same Wike who now speaks ill of Senator Mark once stood humbly before him in the Senate during his ministerial screening under President Goodluck Jonathan. 

He deferred to him then, as he should, recognizing him as a respected elder statesman whose record in the legislature is unmatched. 

At the time, Wike even invited Senator Mark to commission projects in Rivers State, hailing him publicly. What has changed? Just because Wike now holds a ministerial portfolio, he believes he can casually disrespect the Mark of our time? No.

Mark may not have turned Otukpo into a so-called “Dubai” like Wike did in Rivers State, but he has empowered thousands of Nigerians across the length and breadth of this nation. 

His impact is not measured in fountains and flyovers, but in human capital, youth development, military service and institutional legacy.

Little wonder there was a political tidal wave in Benue South and far beyond when Senator Mark was announced as interim chairman of the ADC. It speaks to his credibility, enduring relevance and the affection with which Nigerians hold him, even outside party lines.

And now, Wike, a man once honoured by the Idoma Area Traditional Council with the chieftaincy title of Okokocho K’Idoma, has turned around to talk down on the very people who honoured him? 

That he would wake up today and use his national platform to insult not just David Mark, but by extension, the entire Idoma nation, is deeply irritating and profoundly disappointing. 

His actions betray the respect once accorded him and cast a long shadow over his claim to leadership.

Wike’s outburst is not just an attack on a man, it is an attack on a legacy. It is also an affront to the Idoma people and all Nigerians who respect integrity, seniority and patriotism. 

Wike must be reminded that power is fleeting, but dignity and service last forever. 

He owes Senator Mark and Nigeria an apology.