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Tag: Mark

  • Mark: hoodlums attacked me on way to Buhari’s inauguration

    Mark: hoodlums attacked me on way to Buhari’s inauguration

    •’It’s backward for senators to be elected governors’   •Senate applauds Buhari, Jonathan for peaceful handover

    Senate President David Mark yesterday said he was attacked by hoodlums last Friday on his way to the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mark said the hoodlums damaged the windscreen of his vehicle. He also condemned senators who vacated their seats for the position of governor.

    He said that after being a senator “we should look up and not look backward. But if some of our colleagues in order to make sacrifice decided to become governors, it should be seen as sacrifice; that is alright.”

    The Senate also congratulated Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and former President Goodluck Jonathan for a successful handover of government.

    This followed a motion by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba and 107 other Senators entitled “Congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and others.”

    Ndoma-Egba, in his lead debate, noted the successful handover of government and the inauguration of Buhari and Osinbajo.

    He also noted the successful inauguration of some National Assembly members as governors.

    He listed the National Assembly members inaugurated as governors to include Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto); Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta State); Senator Benedict Ayade (Cross River State), Senator Bindo Jibrilla (Adamawa), Senator Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

    Ndoma-Egba said the Senate identified with the Buhari government and the state governments under the leadership of “our colleagues  in the National Assembly in their attempts to actualise the legitimate yearnings of our people for a greater country in all spheres of social-political and economic life.”

    Mark noted that for the first time in the political history of the country, the presidential election result was not contested at the tribunal.

    He added: “It is not just enough to congratulate Buhari, we have to congratulate the former President Jonathan who willingly conceded defeat and followed it up with a phone call. We should congratulate Buhari, former President and every Nigerian.”

  • Mark to citizens: let’s join hands to make democracy work

    Mark to citizens: let’s join hands to make democracy work

    Senate President David Mark yesterday took stock of the country’s 16 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, urging the citizens to persevere more for the continued sustenance of the system of government.

    Mark, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paull Mumeh, stated this in a goodwill message to Nigerians to mark “Democracy Day.”

    He said:  “All hands must be on deck, where everyone plays his or her role to ensure that our democracy endures.

    “All Nigerians deserve commendation. We have done well so far. We must strive more to make democracy a way of life.

    “As an active participant in our democratic journey since 1999, I can say without any fear of contradiction that our democracy has endured. The successes recorded so far, especially with the last general elections, clearly show the unwavering commitment of Nigerians to its fruition.”

    The Senate President was optimistic that all the initial hiccups of the nation’s democratic experiment would be confined to history soon.

    He noted that the occasional disagreements between the Executive arm of government and the Legislature warranting the Judiciary’s interventions have been part of the learning curves for effective checks and balances between and among the three arms of governments.

  • Mark, Ngige mourn Zik’s son

    Mark, Ngige mourn Zik’s son

    Senate President David Mark has commiserated with the family of Nigeria’s first President, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe over the demise of his son, Chief Chukwuma Azikwe, saying the deceased was a distinguished diplomat.

    In a condolence message, Mark said the late Azikwe lived an exemplary life by sustaining the legacies of his father through selfless services.

    He said his death left a vacuum because he died when the nation needed his services.

    The Senate President recalled the philanthropic gestures of the deceased, which he said endeared him to his  community and beyond. He said his services earned him the title “Owelle of Onitsha”.

    “He (Chukwuma) was known for his hard work, selflessness and dedication to duty. This he brought to bear during his sojourn as an Ambassador before he retired to private life,” Mark said.

    He urged the family to take heart, saying, “this is a trying time in the history of the family but I am quick to pray for God’s divine protection and also to grant the deceased eternal rest”.

    Former Governor of Anambra State, Chris Nwabueze Ngige has also commiserated with the family. Ngige described the late Onitsha High Chief as an intelligent man who made his mark as a Harvard trained political economist.

    He said the deceased was a tactician who played major roles in Nigeria’s political firmament from behind the scene.

    Ngige described the scion of the Azikiwe dynasty as a courageous man who stood for equity and justice at all times, even in the trying period of Nigeria-Biafra civil war.

  • Mark tasks Buhari on genuine reconciliation

    Mark tasks Buhari on genuine reconciliation

    Senate President, David Mark, on Friday advised the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to make the genuine reconciliation of all Nigerians his top priority.

    Mark spoke at a thanksgiving Mass ahead of the end of the 7th Senate at St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo in Abuja, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh.

    He said the action has become imperative in order to assuage the feelings of some aggrieved persons.

    The Senate President said, “What the nation need now is genuine reconciliation of all sections of the country and not otherwise.”

    He said despite different political affiliations on which public officers were elected, “what must be paramount are service, welfare and security of Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences.”

    He further stressed the need to address the insecurity situation especially in the Northeast geopolitical zone.

    He counseled public office seekers against desperation for power saying, “there is no need to be desperate for power, since power comes from God. Once we acknowledge this, we will not be at each other’s throat.”

    Mark gave credit to Almighty God for sustaining him throughout the eight years as President of the Senate.

    He said: “My 16 years in the Senate and eight years as the President of the Senate is the Lord’s doing, not by my own wisdom, power, intelligence or fame and influence.”

  • Comatose PDP heading for self-destruction, says Mark

    Comatose PDP heading for self-destruction, says Mark

    Senate President David Mark warned yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is headed for extinction unless warring members sheathe their swords.

    He described the party as comatose and “already hemorrhaging”.

    Also yesterday, the National Working Committee (NWC), which has been battling with elements who are asking it to dissolve itself because of the party’s electoral misfortune, said President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered the warring sides to hold their fire.

    Mark issued the warning when he received Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, the chair of the committee set up by the NWC to probe the election failure.

    Ekweremadu visited mark to get his input into the committee’s job – which also includes making recommendations on the way forward for the party.

    Reporters were not allowed into the session between Ekweremadu and Mark, but Mark’s Chief Press Secretary Paul Mumeh quoted him as warning that “unless we halt the bleeding and find the necessary therapy, we may be heading for the final burial of the party.

    “The party (PDP) is already comatose and we should do all we can to resuscitate the party rather than this unnecessary rancour and buck passing.

     ”The emerging factions (in PDP) are absolutely unnecessary.  The combatants must sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue.  My appeal is that we should not do anything that would damage the already fragmented house.

    “Everybody should come together and rebuild the party.  We have got enough bruises.  We need not inflict further pains on ourselves, with continuous bickering.

    “Enough of this blame-game; we should return to the drawing board and need not wash our dirty linen in the public, anymore.

    “I believe a useful lesson has been learnt from the PDP electoral misfortune.  As for me, it is time to put on our thinking caps and chart a new course.

    “I trust Senator Ekweremadu that he and his team will do a good job and unearth the remote and immediate causes of our misfortune and make recommendations that will enhance the future of the party.

    “I have worked closely with the Deputy President of the Senate over the years and I know his capability and capacity to handle issues.”

    He said the new status of the party as an opposition is a challenge which “we must face with all honesty, sincerity of purpose and dedication to duty”.

    Mark believed that democracy and the country would be better for it, “if we play credible opposition to ensure good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy to Nigerians”.

    The NWC said post election trauma arising from defeat in the last general election was responsible for the internal bickering among leaders and key stakeholders in the party.

    A statement by National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh said President Jonathan on Tuesday handed down a directive ordering all combative parties to sheathe their swords to save the future of the party.

    Metuh said: “The National Working Committee will absolutely abide by the counsel and has instructed all the executives of the party at all levels to comply accordingly.

     ”The leadership of the PDP regrets any embarrassment the avoidable skirmishes may have caused the members of our great party, especially our founding fathers and teeming supporters across the country.

     ”We are aware that this unfortunate development is a consequence of post election trauma arising from our first ever defeat. We however note with relief that we have now overcome this challenge.

    “The National Working Committee assures that in the new spirit of harmony in the PDP family, the reengineering process which began on Tuesday with the inauguration of the Post Election Review Committee will be vigorously sustained to restore the lost glory of our great party.

    “We therefore urge all our members to ensure that they henceforth guard their utterances and actions, no matter the provocation and distortions in some sections of the media while channeling their energies and ideas towards the rebuilding process.

     ”In this regard, all members who have reports, grievances and suggestions on the way forward should transmit same to the Post-Election Review Committee for an all inclusive roadmap in the overall effort to regain power in 2019.”

    Metuh urged members to be wary of the activities of some “mischievous persons” within and outside the PDP family who are bent on frustrating the party’s peace efforts.

    According to him, such individuals and groups have found the social media a veritable tool for their mischief through distortion of facts, false allegations and fabrications against the party.

    “The leadership, therefore, urged all members to join forces to ensure that the core values and the vision of the founding fathers are sustained while also directing all organs of the party to focus only on party administration in a manner that rekindles zeal and commitment among members and supporters at all levels,” Mark added.

  • Stop ‘weeping’ over defeat, Mark tells PDP members

    Stop ‘weeping’ over defeat, Mark tells PDP members

    Senate President, David Mark has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to put the failure of the last elections behind them and be prepared to build a strong and united party ready to play a credible opposition.

    Mark spoke when he met with PDP Senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect in Abuja at the weekend, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh.

    The statement quoted the Senate President to have said that, “We must accept the ups and downs as an opposition party. That is what the PDP is now. We must remain a united family and face the reality.”

    He insisted that the dismal showing of the PDP in the last elections may in the long term be a blessing to the party and the nation, “because we are going back to the drawing board to do a critical review and fashion out a blue print that would get us out of the woods for good.”

    “The role of opposition is strange to us but it is not a death sentence. We should be ready for the challenges.

    “We are prepared to play a credible opposition. I believe the nation and indeed Nigerians would be the best for it.”

    Mark however bemoaned the bickering within and among party members trading blames over the poor showing at the polls, saying: “there is no need weeping over lost opportunities or mistakes of yesterday.”

    “The failure of yesterday should be our lesson for a better today and a triumphant future.”

    He called on all stakeholders of the PDP to bury their hatchet and resolve to work together for a united and progressive party for the future.

  • Mark, Saraki salute workers on May Day

    Mark, Saraki salute workers on May Day

    Senate President, David Mark, yesterday expressed solidarity with Nigerian workers, urging them to uphold the spirit of resilience that has propelled the nation to greatness.

    He also urged workers to sustain the hands that produce the wealth of the nation just as he told employers of labour to reciprocate the workers’ gesture through improved welfare.

    According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja the Senate President said: “On this day as always, I salute the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian worker. I commend your resilience and steadfastness that have kept the nation alive.

    “I am to remind you to always make productivity the cornerstone at all times. That way, you will be contributing to the survival of the nation.

    “To this end, I earnestly request that we review our strategies and penchant or resort to industrial action at will.

    “I am convinced that dialogue remains the best road map towards resolving any disagreement no matter how complicated.

    “Resort to strike action always carries far reaching political and economic consequences which unarguably retard growth.

    “As a people, we must think otherwise in the interest of our nation. Development can only be achieved if labour and employers work along the same line.”

    Also yesterday, the Chairman Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, saluted the workers as they marked the May Day celebration.

    Saraki urged them to remain steadfast and courageous in the face of current economic turmoil which has created a situation where some states are not able to pay salaries on time.

    Saraki, who issued a statement in Abuja, said: “Every first day in the month of May provides an opportunity to salute the efforts of the labouring hands behind the socio-economic balance of our great country.

    “I join millions of Nigerians not only to felicitate, but also to commend the boundless efforts and sacrifice by Nigerian workers.

    “In the quest for sustainability, stability, tranquility, and social growth of our fatherland, the civil servants remain the gear and the driving force. Today therefore will remain a historic day of appreciation.

    “I use this opportunity to implore our dear workers nationwide to remain steadfast and courageous as Nigeria passes through the current economic turmoil which has created the challenge of some states not being able to pay salaries on time.

    “This I believe our president-elect will urgently and aggressively attend to.

    “I commend the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress for the leadership they provide for Nigerian workers and urge them to close ranks to hold a united front to assist the 8th Assembly to build on the achievements of improving work conditions in Nigeria.

    “The labour of our heroes, past and present, must never be in vain.

    “As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am committed to raising and supporting Bills that will create jobs, protect the Nigerian workers and improve our work environment.”

  • Mark visits Buhari

    Mark visits Buhari

    SENATE President David Mark and the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari met behind closed doors in Abuja yesterday.

    Mark’s visit to Gen. Buhari was the first time since he was declared winner of the presidential election on April 1.

    There has been rumour that the Senate President was lobbying to retain his position, which he has occupied in the last eight years.

    It was not clear what they discussed during the brief visit, but Mark has been quoted as saying even if he was the last man standing, he would not leave the PDP.

    He was quoted to have said: “I have heard, by way of rumour, to start with, in social media that I am decamping to APC. Social media is awash with that. If I will be the last man standing, I will remain in PDP. The rumour is just an unnecessary fabrication.

    “Nobody has spoken to me from APC. I have no reason whatsoever to leave PDP, no reasons. I have risen to where I am on the platform of PDP. PDP has a manifesto and I believe in it.

    “Those drifting to the APC now are fair-weather friends of the PDP. They are seeking new green areas. When the PDP bounces back, they will seek another return to the PDP.”

    Mark is the first high ranking PDP member in the outgoing administration to visit the President-elect.

  • Mark seeks review of 2015 polls

    Mark seeks review of 2015 polls

    Senate President David Mark yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently review the just concluded general elections to address the grey areas before going into the next exercise.

    Mark, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, spoke while exchanging views with the United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle.

    The Senate President insisted that the review of the electoral process was imperative to perfect a system needed to strengthen and consolidate democracy.

    Noting that INEC performed creditably, he, however, pointed out that the commission needs to improve on its strategies in future.

    He praised international partners, including the U.S., United Kingdom (UK), United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for their supports and contributions to the exercise.

    “Our President, Goodluck Jonathan, deserves praises for immediately conceding defeat and congratulating the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari; an act that put paid to anticipated violence and acrimony,” he added.

    Entwistle congratulated Nigeria for the exercise.

    “I bring you good tidings from America. I am impressed with the successful conduct of the elections. Nigerians demonstrated enthusiasm and exercised their franchise,” the envoy said.

    He hailed the introduction of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) technology, which, he said, smoothened the electoral process.

  • Mark, Gemade receive certificate of return

    Mark, Gemade receive certificate of return

    Senate President, David Mark and Senator Barnabas Gemade Tuesday received their certificate of return as Senators-elect from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    An INEC National Commissioner, Chief Lawrence Nwuruku handed the certificates to them at the National Assembly according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja.

    The statement reads in part: “Mark would be returning to the Senate for the 5th time on the platform of People Democratic Party (PDP) while Gemade who came to the Senate in 2011 on the platform of PDP, would be returning to the Senate the second time on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).”