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Nigeria Decides: Tension, uneasy calm as Benue South elects David Mark’s replacement after 20 years

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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.

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Iran War Disrupts Oil Supply, Global Loss Hits $50bn

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The global oil market has recorded losses exceeding $50bn following massive supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran war, which has now stretched to nearly 50 days.

Data from energy analytics firm Kpler showed that more than 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been wiped off the global market since the crisis began in late February, making it the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, on Friday said the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened after a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon.

However, tensions escalated again on Saturday as Tehran warned it could shut the strategic waterway if the United States sustains its blockade of Iranian ports.

Also, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a deal to end the conflict could be reached “soon,” although he did not provide a definite timeline.

Analysts warned that the scale of disruption could have prolonged effects on global energy stability, with shocks expected to linger for months or even years.

Providing context, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, Iain Mowat, said the 500 million barrels lost is equivalent to grounding global aviation demand for 10 weeks, halting all road transport worldwide for 11 days, or shutting down the entire global oil supply for five days.

Further estimates showed that the lost volume is nearly equal to one month of oil demand in the United States or more than a month’s supply for Europe. It also represents about six years of fuel consumption by the U.S. military and could power global shipping activities for approximately four months.

The crisis has significantly affected oil-producing nations in the Gulf, with output losses reaching about eight million barrels per day in March—roughly equivalent to the combined production of two of the world’s largest oil companies.

Jet fuel exports from major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, dropped sharply from 19.6 million barrels in February to just 4.1 million barrels recorded across March and April combined. Analysts said the shortfall could have powered about 20,000 round-trip international flights.

With crude prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the onset of the conflict, the lost volumes translate to an estimated $50bn in revenue. Experts noted that this figure is equivalent to about one per cent of Germany’s annual Gross Domestic Product, or roughly the size of the economies of smaller European countries.

Meanwhile, global onshore crude inventories have declined by about 45 million barrels in April alone, while total production outages have risen to approximately 12 million barrels per day since late March.

Industry experts cautioned that unless a lasting resolution is reached, the disruption could intensify volatility in global oil markets, worsen inflationary pressures, and further strain fragile economies worldwide.

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Oseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination

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A member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has been nominated for a Special Award in Politics at the 2026 City People Political Awards.

The nomination was conveyed in a letter dated April 13, 2026, signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Seye Kehinde.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Oseni’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.

According to the statement, the lawmaker earned the nomination in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to politics in Oyo State, particularly in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.”

The organisers noted that Oseni emerged as a nominee following a comprehensive review of performances across sectors by the award’s selection committee.

Part of the letter read, “Having performed creditably well in your sector last year, the Organising Committee presented you as a nominee in your sector.”

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Etal Hall, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, at 4pm.

The City People Awards is an annual event that recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves in governance, public service and other sectors of national development.

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Kaduna Electric to prosecute, expose attackers of staff

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The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has announced a crackdown on individuals who assault its staff, warning that offenders will face prosecution and public exposure.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the company expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing surge” in attacks on its field workers and third-party partners.

It noted that the affected personnel were mainly engaged in meter installation, revenue collection and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.

According to the firm, the increasing cases of harassment, physical assault and unlawful detention of its workers pose a serious threat to employee safety and the stability of electricity service delivery across its franchise areas.

The Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, said the company would no longer tolerate any form of aggression against its workforce.

“Let this serve as a clear warning to anyone who engages in the assault of our staff. Kaduna Electric will pursue every case to its logical conclusion,” he said.

“We will work closely with security agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice and face the full weight of the law,” Mohammed added.

He further disclosed that the company would publicly reveal the identities of individuals found culpable.

According to him, names, photographs and other details of offenders would be published on the company’s official platforms as well as in national and local media.

“This measure is intended to ensure accountability and serve as a strong deterrent. Anyone who chooses to attack our personnel should be prepared not only to face prosecution but also public exposure,” he added.

The company stressed that assaults on utility workers attract serious legal and financial consequences, noting that offenders risk criminal charges that may lead to fines or imprisonment.

It added that perpetrators could also face civil liabilities, including compensation for medical treatment, psychological trauma and loss of work hours.
While condemning the attacks, Kaduna Electric urged customers to adopt peaceful and lawful means of resolving disputes.

It advised aggrieved customers to channel complaints through its customer service units or appropriate regulatory bodies.

The management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its workforce and partners, stressing that a safe working environment is essential for delivering reliable and efficient electricity services.

Although disputes between electricity providers and consumers are often linked to billing issues, metering challenges and service delivery concerns, the company maintained that such matters must be resolved through dialogue, insisting that violence against its staff will no longer be tolerated.

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