Sufuyan Ojeifo
25 February 2008
Abuja — A flurry of goodwill messages began pouring in for the Senate President, Senator David Mark, at the weekend following the nullification of his election last Saturday as Senator representing Benue South.
President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua called Mark on his mobile telephone and assured him he would rally the support of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members for him.
Sources said during the brief chat, the President also celebrated Mark's leadership qualities and the way and manner he has steered the ship of the Senate so far.
The Benue State Election Tribunal sitting in Makurdi had on Saturday cancelled Mark's election and ordered a fresh election in the two contentious local government areas of Okpokwu and Agatu in the state.
Mark has already indicated he would appeal the tribunal judgment.
THISDAY learnt yesterday that words of encouragement and assurance of support also came from other top government functionaries such as the Vice-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, and former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
They were said to have assured the Senate President that they would support him through his appeal of the tribunal verdict at the Court of Appeal.
Sources also hinted that many of Mark's colleagues in the Senate thronged Mark's Apo Village, Abuja residence to express support for him.
Obasanjo was said to have also called Mark on phone to assure him of his support.
But Vice-President Jonathan was said to have personally visited Mark at home.
It was learnt that Jonathan led the Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. John Odey, and the Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, to the Senate President's residence.
Jonathan was quoted to have said that Mark had given the character, focus, and determination to the Senate for the sustenance of democracy in the country.
House Speaker, Bankole, also visited Mark at home in company with the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Usman Nafada, and other principal officers of the House. Bankole, according to sources, assured Mark of the support and cooperation of members of the House.
The roll call of Senators that visited Mark at home to encourage him included the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; the Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin; Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba; the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Mana; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Ma'aji Maina Lawan; Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, and the Secretary-General of the Northern Senators' Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed.
Senators Nimi Barigha-Amange, Lee Ledogo Maeba, IyiolaOmisore, Grace Bent, Heineken October Lokpobiri, Anthony Manzo, Thompson Sekibo, Greg Ngaji, Effiong Bob were said to be among the early callers at the Apo Mansion on solidarity visit to the Senate President.
The visits, however, did not compare with the heavy traffic of phone calls to Mark to lift his spirit at this time of political haze over his election as Benue South Senator and his seat as Senate President.
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I was numb and beyond out rage to not that the President and his political god father the former now disgraced President Obasanjo are pledging support for Mark on the occasion of the tribunal ruling.
So I ask, what is this support about? For a man who connived and stole the will of the people and rigged himself into office? Fellow country men and women, where is the out rage that the PDP leadership has the audacity to pledge support for Mark instead of praising the court for doing all the right things for the democracy they preach.
I was… [Read Full Text]