The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senator David Mark

  • Atiku, Mark hold closed-door meeting with PDP leaders

    Atiku, Mark hold closed-door meeting with PDP leaders

    Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President Senator David Mark on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with select PDP leaders in Abuja.

    The high-level meeting, which began around 2 p.m., took place at the Borno/Anambra/Cross River Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

    Although the agenda was not made public, the gathering has sparked fresh speculation over political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Sources said that Atiku and Mark may be involved in discussions concerning two alternative political platforms, the African Democratic Alliance (ADA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), reportedly being considered by an anti-Tinubu coalition for 2027.

    Read Also: 2027: No discussion on joint ticket with Atiku, says Obi

    Prominent PDP figures present at the meeting include former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; former Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi).

    Others in attendance were Senator Ben Obi, former PDP National Women Leader Josephine Anenih, former National Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu, ex-National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, and former National Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira.

    Both Atiku and Mark have maintained a strong presence at recent PDP functions, further fueling talks of a strategic political move as 2027 approaches.

  • Mark seeks justice for murdered NSCDC officer

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Thursday urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abubakar Adamu Mohammed to investigate and prosecute police officers who allegedly murdered a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer in Abuja on Wednesday.

    A two-star NSCDC officer, Superintendent Oga Jumbo Ochigbo was allegedly beaten to death by policemen at a checkpoint along Nyanja-Abuja road for alleged traffic offence in front of his wife and two kids.

    He was said to be taking his kids to school on Wednesday morning when the incident occurred.

    Mark in a statement on the incident in Abuja by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, urged the IGP to do all that is needed to unravel the remote and immediate cause of Jumbo Ochigbo’s death in the hands of policemen at the checkpoint in order to bring justice.

    He described as cruel and barbaric the murder of Jumbo Ochigbo and wondered why policemen who ordinarily should protect lives and property are now the harbingers of death.

    The former Senate boss stated: “No matter what the issue or disagreement was, Jumbo Ochigbo’s death would have been avoided if the police officers on duty applied wisdom and caution in the discharge of their duties”.

    He reiterated that nothing should be compromised in the investigation saying “life is sacrosanct and no one has the right to take another man’s life needlessly”.

    Senator Mark lamented over the harrowing and humiliating experience of Jumbo Ochigbo’s wife and the kids who witnessed the murder of their father.

    The authority of NSCD is said to have petitioned the police high command over the murder why the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police commissioner has ordered the arrest of the suspected police officers.

  • Saraki, Mark urges Christians to pray for successful elections

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, on Monday felicitated with Christian faithful and all Nigerians as they celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, congratulated Nigerians for their resilience in the face of the challenges facing the nation and urged them to pray for improvement in the social, political and economic condition of the country, in the New Year.

    Mark on his own once again harped on the need for peaceful coexistence between and among Nigerians irrespective of ethic or religious leanings.

    Saraki urged Nigerians to make it part of their New Year resolution that they will play their constitutional roles to ensure that the country has a peaceful, credible, free and transparent elections in February and March 2019.

    He said that Nigerians should also pray that the results of the elections will lead to rapid socio-political and economic development of Nigeria.

    Saraki said, “I wish all Nigerians a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I want to call on Christians, in particular, and Nigerians, in general, to emulate the virtues of Christ, who through self-sacrifice brought salvation to humanity.

    “This is a time for us to be our brother’s keeper, extend our generosity to one another and ensure that the less-privileged among us are not left out of the ensuing merriments.”

    He added that the upcoming election is another opportunity to lay a new foundation for the growth and prosperity of the nation and to banish poverty from the land.

    While praying for journey mercies for as many Nigerians that would travel during the period, he urged the police and other security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities and ensure that the lives and property of Nigerians are fully secured at all times.

    “The security agencies must of necessity redouble their efforts to ensure that the Christmas and New Year celebrations are observed peacefully across the country,” Saraki stated.

    In his goodwill message to Nigerians commemorating this year’s Christmas celebration, Senator Mark urged citizens to be guided by the lessons of the Christmas season which is anchored on love, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence.

    Senator Mark canvassed for religious tolerance amongst various adherents saying “We must as a people strive to imbibe the culture of mutual respect, trust and unity as the antidote to the myriads of problems facing the nation”.

    He implored citizens to shun those mundane issues such as ethnicity or religious discriminations that tends to threaten the peace and unity of the country.

    Senator Mark pointed that only those who have ulterior motives would exploit or resort to the emotional fault lines of ethnicity and religious differences in order to gain what they could not ordinarily achieved under normal circumstances.

    He also stressed the need for authorities to review the nation’s security arrangement for an improved performance saying that the unabating security situation in the country unarguably calls for self examination .

    Senator Mark was of the opinion that government and security operatives needs to do more to restore hope and confidence amongst the citizens that they can be protected in any part of the country.

    To this end, he urged that all hands should be on deck to preserve and protect the corporate existence of Nigeria, pointing out that no matter the situation “ We have no other country to call our home other than Nigeria”.

    Even as the 2019 election campaigns gathers momentum , he implored Politicians to play according to the rules of the game as the only way to sustain our democracy.

    Senator Mark cautioned against campaign of calumny saying that only issue based campaign would convince the electorate ahead of the polls.

    Also the Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola, urged Christians in particular and Nigerians in general to use the occasion of the Christmas celebration to renew their faith in Jesus Christ and pray for a peaceful and rancor free 2019 General Elections in a few weeks time.

    In a Christmas message to felicitates with his constituents and Nigeria Christendom at the occasion of 2018 Christmas, Senator Adeola said Christmas symbolizes the celebration of the birth of a new dawn for the salvation of souls for all humanity especially for the Christians and should therefore not be used for only merry-making.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Nigerians at Christmas

    Adeola noted that this year’s celebration coming weeks to a crucial election is another opportunity for fervent prayers for a new dawn and prosperous future for individuals and the Nigeria nation.

    While acknowledging that Nigerians in general are going through a difficult gestation period for sustained economic growth that is mercifully not compounded by the usual fuel scarcity as witnessed in time past during Yuletide, the senator urged all Nigerians to be patient and look forward to a better future.

    The Lagos West senator added that “with abiding faith in Jesus Christ all our challenges will be a thing of the past as we move to next level of our development.”

  • Mark: those who absconded should not return to inherit our party

    Presidential aspirant, Senator David Mark, yesterday urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates to the National Convention of the party in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to vote for him as the candidate that would usher in peace, unity and prosperity in the nation.

    Welcoming delegates to the convention, Senator Mark Senator Mark Senator Mark urged party faithful to be guided by good reasons in their choice of the presidential candidate of the party, saying that “those who were fair weather friends yesterday would not be different tomorrow.”

    “We know those who are good party men and women. We know those who absconded when we had challenges. We have rebuilt and rebranded the party. They are welcome back. But it will be unjustified for them to inherit the product of our struggle,” he added.

    “I’m well equipped and prepared for this assignment. My blueprint is designed to address grey areas and imbalances in our national life.”

    In a press statement signed by his media aide Paul Mumeh and made available to The Nation, refuted the insinuations in some quarters that he had stepped down for another aspirant, saying “my credentials and wealth of experience puts me in a very good stead to win. I know other aspirants would step down and vote for me. I’m the aspirant to beat.

    “Our programme will give every citizen a sense of belonging. No one should be oppressed or marginalised in our country.”

    Gainful employment through industrialization and agriculture, functional Education, improved health care system among others, he said, would be given priority if he was elected.

    Senator Mark added that he has traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria and have come to the inevitable conclusion that “all we need is good governance anchored on equity and justice for all.”

    He stated that peace and unity would be an offspring of justice and equity.

  • Mark joins presidential race, vows to end killings

    Immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has joined the 2019 presidential race on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Mark, who Tuesday obtained his nomination papers at the Abuja secretariat of the PDP, said he’s adequately equipped to tackle the spate of insecurity in the country, with its attendant killings, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and other ills.

    Read Also:David Mark can’t be intimidated, says Moro

    “With political the political will and right the approach, the killings can be stopped. Given my military background, I have what it takes and the appropriate strategy to tackle the pervasive insecurity in the land”, Mark said.

    Mark, who is spending his fifth term in the Senate, lent his voice to the call on President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the amended Electoral Bill into law, saying it was the right thing to do.

    Joining the call for restructuring of the country, the aspirant promised to embark on the project in earnest, if given the opportunity.

    Mark said, “Irrespective of our political persuasions, it is incontrovertible that restructuring of the nation is an idea whose time has come.

    “I believe it will further strengthen our bond of brotherhood and unity more than ever before, because everyone would have a sense of belonging and live in harmony in any part of Nigeria without any fear of molestation and intimidation”.

    Canvassing leadership opportunity for the youth, the lawmaker said had already put in place a blueprint that would drastically reduce poverty and unemployment among the youth population.

    “Our blueprint, tagged 730 will address critical areas of our national life. Specifically, we will deal with poverty, unemployment and neglect which have forced some of our young people to undertake the very risky route of going through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in their quest for greener pastures in Europe”, he added.

    According to him, his 730 economic model is designed to turn the economy around within two years, adding that youth will be the drivers of the process.

    He added that, “We will concentrate on developing our infrastructure, delivering on affordable housing, roads, rails and power. We will focus on education and create a pool of highly trained citizens with excellent IT skills who will be employable as well as create jobs.

    “We will support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as a matter of priority by providing interest free cooperative loans to produce optimally with appropriate technology which will be the main driver of the economy with attendant huge employment opportunities”.

  • Mark to EFCC: You are chasing shadow

    Mark to EFCC: You are chasing shadow

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark Tuesday described the accusations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he purchased his Apo Residential House illegally as spurious, contrived and baseless.

    Senator Mark in a statement by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, said that the EFCC or any other agent of Government is chasing shadows “because the property was duly offered for sale, bided for, and he purchased like any other person would in line with Federal Government’s Monetization Policy that was started during the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo.”

    Mark said “I had the right of first refusal. Even if I did not purchase it, someone else would have.

    “I am a law-abiding citizen. I did not flout any law.

    “Curiously, four houses occupied by the then Presiding Officers of National Assembly were offered to the occupants. All of us, me as the then President of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and his Deputy Bayero Nafada were all given the same offer.

    “I am at a loss as to why it is now a subject of contention.

    “If this persecution is about politics, my political party and the 2019 elections, I dare say that only God and Nigerians would decide. No amount of persecution would alter the will of God.

    “I had refrained from commenting on this because it is already in the law Court. But they have taken the matter to the Court of public opinion.”

    It said that Senator Mark through his lawyer Ken Ikonne in the suit NO FHC/ABJ/1037/2017 before the Federal High Court, Abuja had said that he followed due process and legally acquired the property from the FCDA on April 27, 2011.

    Senator Mark is also asking the Court for a declaration that an order by the Attorney General of the Federation and one Obono Obla of the Presidential Task Force on Recovery of Government Properties compelling him to vacate the aforesaid property without affording him a fair hearing, amounted to a denial of his fundamental human rights, unconstitutional and void.

    He recalled that the Federal Executive Council decided to authorize the sale of the properties housing the principal officers of the National Assembly because the general security of the area had been altered/compromised due to the sale of the other houses in the Legislative Quarters to the public.

    Consequent upon which the houses were offered for sale and duly purchased.

    Senator Mark was given the first option of refusal upon which he duly accepted on April 21st 2011 and paid the agreed purchase price to the adhoc committee on sale of Federal Government houses on April 27, 2011.

  • PDP convention: Our chance to restore dignity, says Mark

    PDP convention: Our chance to restore dignity, says Mark

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Thursday told Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts to the Saturday’s elective convention to allow the will of the people to prevail.

    Mark said that allowing the people’s will to prevail will restore the dignity of the party.

    Senator Mark in a message of good will by to the delegates, by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, urged them to shun ills such as imposition of candidates and impunity that ruined the chances of the Party in the previous elections.

    Senator Mark stressed that “we have seen what the imposition of candidates caused us in the past. We cannot travel the same route anymore.

    “I am sure we have learnt some useful lessons from our electoral misfortune in 2015. We now have the opportunity to right the wrongs of the past by allowing the will of the people to prevail at the convention”.

    The former Senate President expressed confidence in the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led National Convention Committee to do a good job and return the Party to the people.

    He enjoined Party Faithful to adhere to the rules of the game in order to guarantee a smooth Convention “because only the rule of law and adherence to the principle of Democracy endures”.

    He advised the would-be winners and losers to accept the outcome of the elections in the interest of all, saying, “Win or lose, we are still one family. All we need to do is put our house in order in the interest of the Party and its members because I can see a bright future”.

    He welcomed the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others back to the party just as he enjoined all those who defected to return home because “PDP is still the only National Party and a home for all”.

  • Fayose, Mark, Olujimi call for holistic action in addressing poverty

    Fayose, Mark, Olujimi call for holistic action in addressing poverty

    There must be a holistic efforts from both the government and the elites in the country, if poverty is to be tackled, it was learnt Monday.

    The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, former Senate President, Senator David Mark and Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, Senator Abiodun Olujimi made the call Monday at the launch of Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Bode Ola’s book, titled: Why the Poor Are Still with Us in Abuja.

    Fayose who was represented by Ayodele Oladimeji noted that the issue of unemployment and stressed the key role of the country’s elites as well as the government in addressing the poverty challenges.

    The governor, who spoke through Hon. Ayodele Oladimeji blamed the menace on the increasing unemployment and underemployment rates.

    He said: “Today the major challenge is unemployment. After unemployment we equally have under employment. I spoke with two people in Ekiti state on Sunday the husband is teaching in Primary school and the wife is equally teaching in another nursery and primary school. Each of them earn 15000 per month. You can then imagine the condition of the children this couple will rear.”
    On the book, he said it captures the challenges confronting the poor masses of the country, while it went further to recommend solutions.

    Oladimeji who noted that he is also one of the poor people in the country therefore urged the elites to make use of the book for the benefit of the masses.

    He said. “The book is highlighting the challenges of the poor masses, what are their needs what can the elites do to assist them I believe that the principles would have put there to assist us as groups, individuals, establishment to see what you can do to really assist the poor”.

    In his remark, Senator Mark, noted that the book launch was timely as it seeks to identify the major causes of poverty and ways to eradicate them from the society.

    “I cannot think of a more important and timely topic for Nigeria, than issue of poverty and the large number of the poor In the society, ”he said.

    Earlier, Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, Senator Abiodun Olujimi stressed the need to prioritize the welfare of its people.

    He decried the level of poverty in the country; stressing that the people are spiritually and socially poor.

    The senator stressed that “a country where its citizens die because they could not afford a malaria drug of N1000 is a poor country.”

    She also called for reorientation noting that the; “government needs to take charge and look after its own people.”

    In his remarks, the book’s author, Senator Bode Ola, stated that poverty was a major bane to prosperity.

    Quoting the World’s statistics on poverty, he said this should be a source of concern considering the present state of the country’s economy.

    He also blamed funds mismanagement and over dependence on oil for the menace.

    On the book, he said it was his passion and compassion for the poor that prompted his writing.

    “This book was borne My passion and compassion for the poor, it is said that poverty is a threat to prosperity. The rich cannot sleep because the poor are awake. With the present state of things in Nigeria it is a concern to everyone.

    “The world statistics on poverty is a source of concern, as a politician it is a concern. The book tried to answer three problems this includes what is poverty, why poverty is still with us, this involves mismanagement of resources and overdependence on crude oil, it is because of oil we neglected other areas.”

    He however suggested the establishment of University of Entrepreneurship education to where youths can learn the art of wealth creation through self-generated ideas as well as self-dependence.

    Prof. Gbenga Ibileye of the Kogi state University who reviewed the 160 paged book said the book is packed full with both theoretical insights and actionable recommendations that if followed, will initiate genuine process of curing Nigeria of the toga of chronic poverty and usher her into the realm of prosperity, which will eventually eradicate or sufficiently alleviate poverty in the land.”

    He explained that the book which is divided into eight chapters captured poverty, the cause and the solutions.

     

  • PDP convention: Mark warns against impunity

    PDP convention: Mark warns against impunity

    A former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Thursday warned against impunity and imposition of candidates in the build up to the December 9th, 2017 elective convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Senator Mark implored party faithful to reflect on the issues that led to the fall of the PDP in 2015 and do well to avoid the pitfalls at the convention.

    A statement by the media aide to the former Senate President, Paul Mumeh, said that Mark gave the warning when he played host to one of the aspirants to the office of the national chairman of PDP, Chief Raymond Dokpesi in Abuja.

    It said that Senator Mark stressed that “we must learn from the mistakes of the past and do the right thing at the convention.

    Mark was quoted to have said, “We must say no to impunity. We must reject imposition of candidates on the party. Elders of the party including myself must ensure justice, fairness and equity. The people must be allowed to decide.

    “Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the PDP and we must not fail them. We need a leader of the PDP that is a bridge builder, assessable; one possesses the character and integrity to lead the party to victory in 2019”.

    It said that Mark recalled how he tried in vain to resolve the intractable conflict between the Senator Ali Modu Sherrif and Ahmed Makarfi factions and submitted ” for me, I will always stand for the truth because only the truth  will guarantee our success in future polls”.

    Senator Mark appreciated the contributions of Chief Dokpesi to the development of the PDP and urged him not to relent .

    The former Senate President enjoined all the aspirants for various positions to comply with the rules of the game and accept the outcome of the election without bitterness or rancour, hoping that the process would be free, fair and credible.

    It said that Chief Dokpesi who briefed Mark said that he opted for the chairmanship position of the party “because I am eminently qualified, competent and capable of leading the party to Eldorado”.

    It said that Dokpesi promised to bring sanity to the party and ensure justices, fairness and equity in the administration of the party if elected.

    It said that Senators Yisa Briamoh and Grace Bent who were among those on Chief Dokpesi’s entourage extolled his qualities as the man appropriate for the job at the moment.

  • Abdulsalami, Tambuwal, Mark others canvass unity, love for country

    Abdulsalami, Tambuwal, Mark others canvass unity, love for country

    Eminent Nigerians including former Head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal and the immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark, took stock of the emerging challenges of nation hood and submitted that the peace, unity and security of the country must not be compromised.

    The former Head of State,  Tambuwal , Mark, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),  General Gabriel  Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) , General Tukur Bruratai and  former COAS , General Alwali Kazir  said at the weekend  in Kaduna that every strategic step must be taken to protect and preserve the corporate entity of Nigeria.

    A statement by the Media Assistant to Senator Mark, Paul Mumeh, said that the leaders spoke separately against the back drop of incessant agitations by some sections of the country at the 50th anniversary of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 3rd Regular Course of 1967.

    It said that General Abubakar who was the special guest of honour at the golden jubilee dinner, told the Military officers that in or out of office, they must make the security, unity and peace of Nigeria the corner stone of all their endeavours.

    The former head of state was quoted to have said that the country has made enough sacrifice in the past to keep the nation one saying “Whatever needs to be done to ensure peace, good neighborliness, unity, equity and justice to all must be done”.

    On his part, Senator Mark wassaid to have recalled their conviction on entering into the  foremost Nigeria military institution  in  September 1967 to include  but not limited to patriotism to defend and protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria .

    That conviction, Senator Mark stated, still binds them even after their retirement, insisting  “We promised to be patriotic and continue to put the love of country above self at all times”.

    Governor Tambuwal, the statement said, expressed appreciation to members of the Armed forces for their tireless war against insurgents especially in the North East “where they are daily giving their lives to secure freedom for our people “.

    He urged them to remain steadfast and a shining example of patriotism and unity in diversity.

    It said that General Olonisakin thanked the retired officers for making their professional experiences available to the younger generation in its noble task of safeguarding the territorial integrity of our country and in responding to contemporary  threats to national security .

    General Kazir maintained that leaders must be fair and firm to ensure that no group or individual would feel a sense of neglect in the scheme of things.

    In the anniversary lecture titled: “the role of the military in a democracy,” Col.  Paul Ogbebor , a former commanding officer 3 ,  Signal Regiment of the Nigerian Army  advocated for continuos training of the Armed forces in line with modern trend in order to be able to protect  the nation.

    Highlight of the anniversary was the unanimous reelection of Senator Mark as the Chairman of the NDA 3rd Regular Course Alumni Association for the next two years.