Teddy Oscar, Abuja
Outgoing Senate President, Senator David Mark, has dashed the hopes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senators-elect, saying that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators-elect will not be part of the race for the next Senate President in the 8th National Assembly.
Loading ...Mark’s declaration on Thursday foreclosed the idea that senators-elect of the PDP senators-elect could provide a bloc vote in support of either of the two candidates seeking to be the Senate President in the 8th Senate.
The duo of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Senator Ahmad Lawan would be locked in the battle for the exulted position when the 8th Senate would be inaugurated next Tuesday, being the 9th day of June, at the National Assembly Complex.
During the valedictory session of the 7th Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, appealed to Mark to throw his weight behind the Lawan/Akume ticket.
Akume, who had earlier in his contribution at the valedictory session lauded Mark’s leadership qualities, enjoined Mark to make the people of Benue State proud by supporting and helping to actualise the aspiration of Lawan/Akume as next Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively.
He observed that as brothers from the same state and colleagues, who have been together in governance, the people of Benue State will be highly elated to see Mark support him (Akume) in his ambition.
In his remarks at the end of the valedictory session, Mark reminded Akume that the contest for for the posts of the presiding officers in the 8th Senate is not for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators-elect, but that of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Finally, because Senator Akume also thanked me, let me thank him. Let me also remind him that we are in the PDP. The leadership of the 8th Senate is a matter for members of the APC, and election of any coming member is the matter for APC, not for PDP,” Mark said.
Earlier, Mark commended his colleagues for their contributions to the development of Nigeria through their works at the Senate.
He, however, regretted that some major bills, such as that of the Review of the Constitution failed to see the light of day.
He also lamented that the important Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is “still in limbo,” while noting that events of the last few years revealed security lapses, which the legislature tried to address by supporting the executive through passage of the Anti-terrorism Bill and approval of $1 billion for procurement of arms and equipment for the military.
Mark, who noted that the abduction of Chibok girls remained a national scar, however, commended the job the military has been doing to curb the insurgents.
He particularly lamented that the Boko Haram insurgents have brought the highest number of deaths to Nigerians.
He lauded the efforts of Nigerians to fight the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to a standstill.
“In July 2014, we faced a serious public health challenge with the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease. In a swift reaction, a determined public, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, nipped this potential epidemic in the bud,” he said.
On the improvement of the nation’s electoral system, Mark added: “We have had a chequered history in our democratic journey. In the course of this, the legislature sought to improve our electoral system in several Acts of the National Assembly. Gladly, our efforts have helped to make our elections free, fair and credible. The year 2015 general elections is a testimony to this.”
