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Tag: Mark

  • Buhari, Mark, Nnamani meet over Senate tension

    Buhari, Mark, Nnamani meet over Senate tension

    President hosts
    ex-Assembly chiefs

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with some ex- leaders of the National Assembly.

    Two meetings were held at the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    At the Villa were former Senate Presidents David Mark and Ken Nnamani, former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Masari (now Katsina State governor) and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Senator  Ita Enang.

    Nnamani and Masari arrived at the same time. Mark arrived at the President’s office together with Enang about one hour later.

    But it was not clear whether Mark and Enang met Nnamani and Masari at the President’s office as Nnamani and Masari were said to have been driven away from the President’s office’s entrance.

    Nnamani and Masari, who trekked by the Council Chamber in the clear view of reporters on their way to the President’s office, were not seen going out through the same way.

    The agenda of the meetings were unknown, but they may not be unconnected with the strained relationship between the Presidency and the Senate leadership.

    Mark was appointed to lead a team of peace makers at last week’s executive session of the Senate. It was being speculated last night that his visit to the Villa might be part of his effort to normalise the relationship between the Senate and the Presidency. It was not immediately clear yesterday whether the meetings were part of the peace moves.

    Mark, who came out after about 30  minutes in the President’s office, did not speak to reporters as he walked through the corridor, followed by a protocol officer.

    His visit to the Villa was the first since he stepped down as Senate President last year.

    No official statement was issued on the meetings.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is facing Senate Standing rules forgery trial along with his deputy Ike Ekweremadu, recently alleged that there was a cabal in the Presidency behind his travails. But he was told to face his trial.

    Besides, there were speculations that some senators suggested that they should “go for the jugular” at an executive session.

    Asked what that meant, according to a source, a senator said “impeachment of course”.

    The suggestion was roundly condemned, even as the Senate denied that it was ever discussed.

  • Panama Leaks: My hands are clean, says Mark

    Panama Leaks: My hands are clean, says Mark

    Cormer Senate President Senator David Mark has described as spurious, attempts to link him among those operating offshore companies.

    He noted that in the leaked Panama Papers, his name was not listed anywhere in the database of Mossack Fonseca Law Firm.

    Mark spoke in a statement issued by his Media Assistant Paul Mumeh in Abuja.

    Reports had it on Wednesday that the former Senate President was allegedly associated with running eight offshore companies registered on the British Virgin Island.

    The report said Mark’s former wife was also listed as owning shell accounts.

    But the former Senate President insisted that he was not directly or indirectly connected to any of the companies registered, operated or managed by the Mossack Fonseca Law Firm.

    The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to spurious media reports on the Panama papers in which former President of the Senate was alleged to have operated offshore companies.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, in the released materials of the Panama Leaks, his name is not listed anywhere in the database of Mossack Fonseca Law Firm.

    “We reiterate categorically that he is not directly or indirectly connected to any of the companies registered, operated or managed by the Mossack Fonseca Law Firm.

    “We challenge all those behind this propaganda and media outburst to prove or show that Senator Mark’s name was mentioned in the leaks.

    “He is prepared to stand and defend himself against any accusation in relation to this matter.

    “Senator Mark’s media team has carried out its own search of the Mossack Fonseca database and found no statement, item or any connection to Senator David Mark or his family.

    “It follows that there is no record whatsoever of any impropriety or wrongdoing.

    “We recall that in his quest for Senate Presidency in 2007, there was an attempt to bring a similar issue to the fore in order to stop him. So what are their fears now in 2016 for regurgitating the same issue?”

    The statement added: “Once more, Senator Mark has distanced himself and any member of his family from the said Mossack Fonseca Firm and has no affiliation whatsoever with any company operated, registered or managed by Mossack Fonseca.”

  • Benue South rerun: Tribunal grants substituted service on Mark, PDP

    Benue South rerun: Tribunal grants substituted service on Mark, PDP

    The National Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi on Thursday granted the motion ex-parte filed by Mr Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for substituted service on Sen David Mark of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

    Comrade Onjeh, who was the senatorial flag bearer of APC at the February 20 Benue South Senatorial District rerun election, earlier filed a fresh petition before the Tribunal asking for declaration as winner of the poll in place of Mark.

    Joined in the petition were INEC and PDP.

    INEC had declared Mark of the PDP as winner with a margin of barely more than 12,000 votes.

    Onjeh said: “The purported margin of win that led to the declaration of Mark as winner of the poll was far less than the number of cancelled and rejected votes, which were over 29,000 votes.”

    According to him, evidence on the face of the Certified True Copy of result declaration sheets obtained from INEC has shown observed irregularities and noncompliance with Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    The Tribunal gave 21 days to the respondents to reply to the petition upon service following which Onjeh and APC would reply within seven days after which sitting would commence.

    However, Onjeh informed the Tribunal that the court bailiff made several attempts to effect service on the respondents to no avail.

    Delivering ruling on the motion, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Abdullahi Sanya ordered that service be effected by substituted means.

    Sanya stated that the petitioner could paste the service at the gate of Mark’s compound at No. 20, David Mark Way, Otukpo, Benue State.

    The is the second time Onjeh is coming to the Tribunal after the first in 2015 which led to the nullification of Mark’s election and which led to the February 20 re-run.

  • Onjeh v Mark: Tribunal grants substituted service on Mark, PDP

    The National Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi has on Thursday granted the motion exparte filed by Mr. Daniel Onjeh of the APC for substituted service on Sen David Mark of PDP.

    Comrade Onjeh, who was the senatorial flag bearer of APC at the February 20 Benue South Senatorial District rerun election earlier filed a fresh petition before the Tribunal asking for his declaration as the winner of the poll instead of Mark.
    Joined in the petition were INEC and PDP.

    INEC had declared Mark of PDP as the winner of the poll with a margin of barely more than 12,000 votes.

    Onjeh insisted that “The purported margin of win that led to the declaration of Mark as winner of the poll was far less than the number of cancelled and rejected votes, which were over 29,000 votes.”

    According to him, evidence on the face of the Certified True Copy of result declaration sheets obtained from INEC has shown observed irregularities and noncompliance with Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    The Tribunal gave 21 days to the respondents to reply to the petition upon service following which Onjeh and APC would reply within seven days after which sitting would commence.

    However, Onjeh informed the Tribunal that the court bailiff made several attempts to effect service on the respondents to no avail.

    Delivering ruling on the motion, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Abdullahi Sanya ordered that service be effected by substituted means.

    Sanya stated that the petitioner could paste the service at the gate of Mark’s compound at No. 20, David Mark Way, Otukpo, Benue State.

    The is the second time Onjeh is coming to the Tribunal after the first time in 2015 which led to the nullification of Mark’s election that gave rise to the February 20 re-run election.

  • Onjeh takes Mark to tribunal

    Onjeh takes Mark to tribunal

    The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 20 rerun in Benue South, Daniel Onjeh, has filed a petition at the Election Petitions Tribunal in Makurdi.

    He is praying to be declared the winner of the poll.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Senator David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the election with a margin of more than 12,000 votes.

    Onjeh, who addressed reporters after filing the petition, said the Certified True Copy of the result declaration sheets obtained from INEC showed irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    He said: “We have filed a petition with the hope that justice will be done and we will be declared winner.”

    Onjeh said the results in his strongholds were either cancelled or rejected without any reason.

  • Agatu massacre genocide against Idoma people, says Mark

    Agatu massacre genocide against Idoma people, says Mark

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has described as barbaric, wicked and inhuman the massive attacks and destruction of lives and properties in Agatu local government area of Benue State by armed men suspected  to be Fulani herdsmen.

    Mark expressed shock at the unbelievable level of destruction of lives and properties in the area, describing it as genocide perpetrated against the Idoma people.

    This is contained in a statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, which was made available to reporters in Abuja.

    He said: “I am shocked beyond words at the extent of destruction I have seen here in Agatu today.  This is unbelievable. It is unimaginable. Nothing whatsoever justifies this brazen act of destruction meted out on the people of Agatu. My heart bleeds.”

    The statement said that Mark, who was on an assessment tour of the ravaged communities along with some members of the National and State Assembly from his Benue South constituency, urged security agencies to do all that is needed to bring the perpetrators to book.

    It said that Mark was of the view that the attacks could not have happened by accident, but was a planned and orchestrated genocide against the Agatu people.

    It said that about 10 communities have been razed down to the rubbles, while no fewer than 500 lives have been lost to the recent hostilities.

    Some of the villages visited by Mark and his team have been deserted and virtually turned into ghost towns.

    The villages are completely devoid of any social or economic activity, with all the primary and post primary schools, health centres, worship centres, as well as the police station in the area have been burnt down.

    Mark advised the people to take advantage of the proposed public hearing by the joint Senate Committee on the crisis to bring the matter to public domain and seek redress.

    Mark also visited one of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps located in Apa local government area where he counseled the victims to remain calm as authorities would do all that is necessary to ameliorate their plight.

    In a related development, the traditional ruler of Ayede Oke-Agi Amuro, Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Chief Matthew Obasa, has decried alleged killings of farmers in Amuro communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    The traditional ruler described the incidence as unfortunate and pathetic, saying this was not the first time herdsmen were killing and maiming innocent people in the town and neighbouring communities in their farms.

    He urged the Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner of Police in Kogi to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous acts were brought to justice.

  • Saraki, Mark greet Obasanjo, Olubadan

    Saraki, Mark greet Obasanjo, Olubadan

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 79th birthday.

    Saraki also greeted the  Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on his coronation as the 41st Olubadan.

    The Senate President commiserated with Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on the demise of his mother, Hajia Fadimatu Ganduje.

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described Obasanjo as a worthy statesman and prayed God to grant him good health, wisdom and more years of fruitful service.

    The Senate President wished the monarch long reign on the throne characterised by peace, unity and prosperity for his domain and Yorubaland.

    Former Senate President David Mark in statement entitled: “Obasanjo an outstanding nationalist” described Obasanjo as an outstanding nationalist and statesman who laboured to keep Nigeria one.

    Mark, who spoke through his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, said Obasanjo remains one of the pillars of contemporary Nigeria saying that “his belief in one united Nigeria where everyone is free to do his or her legitimate business is unquestionable”.

  • Ikpeazu hails Mark

    Ikpeazu hails Mark

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has congratulated former Senate President David Mark on his victory in the re-run election for Benue South Senatorial District.

    Ikpeazu said Mark’s triumph at the polls was another feather to the Peoples Democratic Party and another victory for democracy in the country.

    The governor described the victory as the voice of the people and a vote of confidence by the people of Benue South whom Mark has represented meaningfully in the red chambers of the National Assembly.

    He urged the senator to see his victory as a clarion call for higher service and stewardship by his constituents who have reposed so much trust, loyalty and confidence in him by ensuring his victory at all the elections.

    Governor Ikpeazu also assured Senator Mark of the love and support of the people and government of Abia State at all times, describing him as a friend of the state.

    He prayed God to guide the senator and grant him good heath and wisdom with which to lead the people and serve the country.

     

  • Mark to Onjeh: join me to develop Idoma land

    Mark to Onjeh: join me to develop Idoma land

    Ex-Senate President David Mark, the winner of last Saturday’s Benue South rerun, has urged his challenger, Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to join him in developing Idoma land.
    The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) chieftain spoke at a news conference after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner.
    He said: “I thank sons and daughters of Idoma land because this victory is for us, not for David Mark. I enjoin those whose political interest might have clashed with mine to join me in moving Idoma land forward.”
    Mark said the election was over and efforts must be geared towards the betterment of the people.
    His words: “I thank the Zone C people for their support and promise that I will not disappoint them.
    “The election is over and I’m ready to serve Idoma land again.”
    The former Senate president said his aim was to ensure Idoma land is developed.
    He solicited the people’s support to ensure this.
    Benue State Deputy Governor Benson Abounu has alleged that he and his family were almost killed when gunmen stormed his Otukpo- Icho home.
    Narrating how the hoodlums attacked his home, Abounu, said after the rerun, he headed for his home with his family and security detail.
    “Later, when the collation of results was on, gunmen stormed my home and shot sporadically. Bullets hit five young men in my compound. They have been hospitalised.”
    The deputy governor said the attack lasted 30 minutes.
    “I escaped death narrowly. I thank God that I survived.”
    He said the attack was an assassination attempt and urged security agencies to investigate it and arrest the suspects.

  • Mark, Onjeh neck and neck as re-run results trickle in

    Mark, Onjeh neck and neck as re-run results trickle in

    Early results from the re-run of the Benue South Senatorial District last night showed that Chief David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Comrade David Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were locked in a close race.

    Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were collating returns from the 102 wards across the nine local governments areas that constitute the district at press time.

    Unofficial results obtained by The Nation showed that while Mark, a former Senate president surged ahead of Onjeh in Otukpo, Apa, Agatu and Opokwu Local Government areas, the APC  flag bearer was leading  in Obi, Oju and Ohimimi local government areas.

    The election was generally peaceful although there were reports of pockets of violence in a few places.

    Turn out by voters was low.

    Both parties accused each other of thuggery and rigging.

    One of the places where violence erupted was Idabi polling unit at  Okete ,Oturkpo following a disagreement on the relocation of the polling unit.

    The APC agent at the ward was said to have kicked over the location of the polling booth there and claimed that the party had already written to INEC to relocate it due to irregularities in previous polls.

    The PDP agent insisted on the retention of the polling booth there.

    Violence soon ensued but the situation was brought under control by security men.

    The March 2015 election in the senatorial district was annulled by the Court of Appeal following a petition by Onjeh who said it was not held in substantial compliance with provisions of the electoral law.

    Some of the results at press time:

    Oju LGA, Ukpa/Ainu Ette, Ihigile PU

    APC 198, PDP 72

    Oju LGA, Oju Ward,

    Ohijile PU

    APC 142,

    PDP 132

    Ivini PU APC 153, PDP 80

    Obi LGA, Adiko Ward,

    Imade PU

    Acrred. 200,

    Result APC 132, PDP 67

    Obi LGA, Adiko Ward,

    Imade PU

    Acrred. 200,

    Result APC 132, PDP 67

    AKWUTULO PU

    APC=58, PDP=41

    EJULE PU, APC 104, PDP=48

    OBI LGA, Itogo Ward, Ebong PU, APC=157, PDP=138

    Oju LGA, Okpokpo Ward, Ogum-igwe PU

    APC=131, PDP=53

    Oju LGA, Ukpa/AInu Ette Ward, Onyoho PU

    APC 108 PDP 90

    Obi LGA, Obko Ward, Omapia PU

    APC 224, PDP 70

    Ohimini LGA,

    Aume-icho Ward,

    ONDO/ OLABE PU,

    APC 89 PDP 129

    OLEGA PU, APC 87, PDP 60

    Oju LGA, Okpokpo Ward, Ogum-igwe PU

    APC=131, PDP=53

    Ohimini LGA, Idekpa Ward Olaigbechi PU

    APC =57, PDP= 5

    Ohimini LGA, Aume Iche Ward

    AKWUTULO PU

    APC=58, PDP=41

    EJULE PU, APC 104, PDP=48

    Oju LGA, Owo ward, Omua Unit 1,

    APC= 49, PDP= 14

    Oju LGA, Okpokpo Ward, Ogum-igwe PU

    APC=131, PDP=53

    Mr. Mark’s VIP polling unit, Otukpo Town Central ward: PDP- 254

    APC – 59

    PU 003, MAMSER Office, Otukpo Town East ward:

    APC- 86

    PDP- 57

    PU 010, Otukpo Town Central ward:

    PDP – 82

    APC – 57

    PU 023, Otukpo Town

    Central ward:

    PDP – 39,    APC – 30

    AGATU

    Ogbaulu primary school PU, Ogbaulu Ward, Agatu LGA

    PDP 75

    APC 31

    Oju LGA, Owo ward, Omua

    PU 1,

    APC= 49, PDP= 14

    Oju LGA, Okpokpo Ward, Ogum-igwe PU

    APC -131, PDP – 53

    Ugbonoko polling unit

    APC – 131, PDP – 110

    OTUKPO

    Otukpo LGA Adoka-Haje, PU Aune Play Ground 1

    PDP 135 APC 38

    Otukpo LGA, Adoka Icho

    Opanehe II, Open Space

    APC 52

    PDP 70

    Ogbadibo LGA

    Orokam ward

    Court Oko polling,

    APC 105

    PDP 53

    Ekere primary school unit PDP,=98 APC30

    Ipole owukpa unit

    APC – 78

    PDP – 47

    Ocheje Oko unit

    PDP17

    APC 191

    Ipole Oko unit

    PDP = 46

    APC = 80