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Nigeria Decides: Tension, uneasy calm as Benue South elects David Mark’s replacement after 20 years
Today, the people of Benue South senatorial district would for the first time in 20 years vote for a new leader to represent them at the Senate.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, former military Governor of Niger State, Senator David Mark has been the occupant of the senatorial seat.
For the first time in 20 years, the people of the zone would be casting their votes without Mark in the race.
Mark, President of the 6th and 7th Senate is stepping aside, having contested for the seat five times and won all, including a senatorial rerun in 2016.
A trip across the nine local government areas in the senatorial district by DAILY POST showed that there is palpable tension and uneasy calm in most areas visited.
At villages and market squares, people were seen debating over who should be the right person to represent Idoma and Igede communities at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
Although, over 16 persons are currently in the race to step into the ‘big’ shoes of Brig. Gen. David Mark (rtd), but three persons are candidates to watch in this historic election.
Among the three top contenders are: Former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, representing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Steve Lawani of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Mike Okibe Onoja, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
Another person to watch out for in this election is Usman Abubakar (Young Alhaji) of the Advance Peoples Democratic Alliance, APDA.
How they stand…
Abba Moro (PDP)
In Idoma land, the name Moro is like an anthem. During our tour of the nine local government areas that made up the senatorial district, his name was on the lips of people.
Most people believed he has no opponent as far as the senatorial race is concerned.
Most of them said Moro would be returned elected because of the employment opportunities he gave to people of the area when he held sway at the ministry of interior and his magnanimity.
Political analysts believe that it would be a clean sweep for him in Otukpo, Okpokwu (his country) Ohimini, Apa, Agatu and most likely, Ado.
However, observers said the votes in Ogbadibo, Obi and Oju would be divided among the top contenders, including Young Alhaji.
Among the three top contenders, Moro is the youngest but the peoples’ favourite.
He would be banking on the people to ‘pay’ him back for his past records.
Also, Benue South has been dominated by the Moro’s PDP for 20 years and story might not change this time around.
The youths and women folks would likely go this way.
Steve Lawani (APC).
He’s fondly called the ‘silent achiever.’ Reserved and calm, Lawani, former Deputy Governor of Benue State is a man to watch in today’s election.
A man of few words but highly rooted.
Lawani believes that blowing trumpet about one’s political achievements is unnecessary, hence, reason he’s not talking what he did as deputy governor of the state for eight years.
In Ogbadibo, which is his territory, it might not be a clean sweep for him because most of Moro’s strong men hailed from this area.
Lawani would find Owukpa a hard nut to crack but Orokam and Otukpa may stand for him.
He is believed to be banking on federal might for a smooth ride.
Lawani would sure get good votes from Oju and Obi (Igede nation) might not be big enough to settle the score.
The elderly men would toe this path.
Mike Onoja (SDP)
Two major odds against Chief Mike Onoja in today’s election is his age and political instability.
Within the last four years, Onoja, who is beleived to be in his 80s has pitched his tent with three different political parties.
Before the 2015 general elections, Onoja was in the race for the Peoples Democratic Party’s ticket.
However, on the day of the primary between him and the then Senate President, David Mark, Onoja announced his withdrawal from the race and declared his support for Mark, having spent millions of naira canvassing for votes.
In 2016, he announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress during the rerun, citing the wind of change blowing across the country as his reason.
Surprisingly, in 2018, Onoja made a second return to the PDP and declared his ambition for the Senate but lost woefully during the party’s primary to Moro.
Consequently, he defected to the SDP and was given the party’s senatorial ticket, which was hitherto held by Adakole Ijogi.
Most people don’t really trust his judgement and political calculations.
Even in his country home, Ado, Onoja may not pull reasonable votes due to a long-standing royal tussle in the area.
Most of his votes might come from Igede community (Oju and Obi).
Few Igede elders would go for him.
While one may not be bold enough to predict the result of today’s election, it won’t be unwise to say that it is going to be a battle between the federal and the local mights.
No doubt, the area is tensed; the people are in suspense and waiting eagerly to see a new face at the Senate after 20 years of ‘Markmania’.’
The battle is on.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has mourned the death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo, popularly known as Able, describing his demise as a painful loss to the progressive family.
Oladipupo, who represented Ibadan North-West Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, was widely regarded as a grassroots politician and committed party loyalist until his passing.
Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, said the late politician’s death had created a vacuum within the party and among those who benefitted from his unwavering commitment to public service.
In a condolence statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the federal lawmaker described the late Oladipupo as a dependable progressive, humble political actor and loyal party stalwart whose impact would remain indelible.
He said the deceased dedicated his life to serving humanity, strengthening the progressive movement and supporting the aspirations of many at the grassroots.
Oseni said, “The death of Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo (Able) came to me as a rude shock. Oyo State and the progressive family have indeed lost a committed, loyal and selfless leader whose passion for service, humility and dedication to the people stood him out.
“He was not just a politician but a bridge-builder, a dependable ally and a grassroots mobiliser who believed strongly in the ideals of our great party. His contributions to the growth of the APC in Oyo State and his service to humanity will remain unforgettable.”
The APC senatorial candidate noted that the late former lawmaker remained steadfast in promoting peace, unity and political development, adding that his simplicity and accessibility endeared him to many across political divides.
According to Oseni, the late politician’s legacy of service and sacrifice would continue to inspire younger politicians and party faithful.
He, however, urged members of the APC, associates and family members of the deceased to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and the positive impact he made during his lifetime.
Oseni also prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
State governors have proposed a new national minimum wage of N100,000 for Nigerian workers as part of efforts to cushion them from the biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), disclosed the proposal on Saturday in a post by the state government’s official Facebook page. He said the move aims to improve workers’ welfare while ensuring that government finances remain sustainable.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances.”
The NGF chairman explained that ongoing discussions are focused on balancing the need to boost workers’ purchasing power with the capacity of governments to deliver essential public services and development projects.
“The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain projects that directly impact citizens,” he added.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national debates on salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to contend with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Currently, Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month. Some states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Imo, are already paying above the national benchmark to support workers amid the country’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has continued to call for a comprehensive review of salaries, insisting that workers deserve a living wage that reflects present-day economic realities rather than merely guaranteeing survival.
The average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, rose to N1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, representing a 23.69 per cent increase compared to the N1,239.33 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, findings by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have shown.
The sharp rise in petrol prices came amid mounting inflationary pressure and worsening living costs, with Nigerians grappling with soaring transportation and food expenses that have continued to shrink household purchasing power.
The NBS disclosed this in its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for April 2026, released on Friday.
The report further showed that on a month-on-month basis, petrol prices rose by 18.97 per cent from N1,288.54 recorded in March 2026, underscoring persistent volatility in the downstream petroleum market.
A breakdown of prices across states revealed that Yobe recorded the highest average retail price for petrol at N1,599.05 per litre during the review period.
Edo and Bauchi followed closely with average prices of N1,595.74 and N1,589.07, respectively.
However, Niger residents paid the least for petrol at an average of N1,403.89 per litre, while Sokoto and Katsina recorded N1,404.16 and N1,406.28 respectively.
At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average retail price at N1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West posted the lowest at N1,508.81.
The latest petrol price increase comes as millions of Nigerians continue to battle the ripple effects of rising inflation, with higher energy costs worsening transportation fares and the prices of essential commodities.
Similarly, the NBS said the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as cooking gas, rose by 13.73 per cent month-on-month to N8,706.93 in April 2026 from N7,655.73 recorded in March.
On a year-on-year basis, the price increased by 10.42 per cent from N7,885.60 recorded in April 2025.
Lagos recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,745.10, followed by Nasarawa at N9,451.70 and Bayelsa at N9,422.74.
In contrast, Anambra recorded the lowest average price at N7,204.76, while Ondo and Ogun followed with N7,239.49 and N7,825.75, respectively.
At the regional level, the North-West recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,025.07, followed by the North-East at N8,847.16, while the South-East posted the lowest average price at N8,224.37.
Also, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas increased by 13.89 per cent month-on-month to N22,382.20 in April 2026 from N19,652.83 in March.
Compared to April 2025, the price rose by 10.43 per cent from N20,268.06.
According to the NBS LPG Price Watch for April, Katsina recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N25,596.71, followed by Kogi at N24,558.25 and Gombe at N24,438.97.
Ogun recorded the lowest average price at N19,564.36, while Bauchi and Anambra followed at N20,178.87 and N20,511.90 respectively.
The North-West recorded the highest zonal average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N23,276.95, followed by the North-Central at N22,865.29, while the South-East posted the lowest average at N21,060.92.
The latest figures signal growing pressure on household energy costs, raising concerns over the implications for inflation and the cost of living in the coming months.
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