NASS won’t shortchange Nigeria’s unity – Mark

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Senate President, David Mark, has assured that National Assembly will not shortchange Nigeria’s unity and peaceful coexistence, even as President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commended him for his patriotic commitment to peace, progress and unity of Nigeria.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark said the lawmakers would stand and defend those things that would engender peace and unity of Nigeria.

He also stated that the legislature has no conflicting roles with the executive arm of government, even as he added that dividends of democracy would be faster delivered if the legislature and the executive arms of government work in harmony.

According to the statement, Mark said this while speaking at the Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman Initiative empowerment programme in Okene Kogi state yesterday.

He stressed the need to abhor friction between and among government functionaries, so that the electorates could benefit from government programmes and policies.

Mark pleaded for peaceful coexistence between and among Nigerians saying” there has to be peace for us to talk about development at any given point. Government alone cannot guarantee peace, it is the cooperation of all us irrespective of political parties that can bring peaceful coexistence.”

In a related development, President Goodluck Jonathan has commended David Mark, for his patriotic commitment to peace, progress and unity of Nigeria.

In a letter he wrote to Mark, to congratulate him on his 66th birthday, Jonathan said, “As you mark your 66th birthday anniversary, I extend very warm felicitations to you on behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

President Jonathan also expressed his appreciation of the Senate President’s unflinching support and contributions towards the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s Agenda for National Transformation.

“It is my prayer that Almighty God continues to keep and prosper you, especially as you continue to patriotically give of yourself in support of our transformational efforts and in dedicated service to our fatherland,” the President Jonathan said in the letter.