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Brief Remarks By The President Of The Senate Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) David A.B. Mark, GCON, Fnim At The Resumption Of Senate Plenary, On Tuesday, 17 February, 2015.
Protocol,
- I welcome you to this hallowed chamber from our election break.
- Ordinarily, we would have commenced our legislative activities this morning without a welcome address. But, these are not ordinary times in our nation. There is palpable tension in the land and the comments and even the body language of the political class further exacerbates the tension.
- As statesmen and women we must rise to the occasion and help reduce tension. We must refrain from acts or statements that will aggravate this already charged atmosphere across the country. This is time for us to be true statesmen and women; both in words and deeds.
- I am alarmed that the issue of Interim National Government (ING) has been given undeserved prominence in our national discourse. This is imprecise, sordid and strange. Interim National Government is alien to the 1999 Constitution (as Amended). Therefore those calling for ING are pushing for an exercise in futility. This Senate is committed to the provisions of our Constitution which we swore to protect and we will not do anything to sabotage the democratic process.
- I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue to prepare to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible general election.
- We owe it a duty to our country men and women to give INEC all the support it needs to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
- It is important to note that on the 29th of May, 2015 a democratic government elected through a free, fair, transparent and credible election will be sworn-in.
- Above all, I urge you my distinguished bosses to devote time to our constitutional responsibility as we have always done.
- Thank you and God bless.
Senator (Dr) David A.B. Mark, GCON, fnim
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA