Inconclusive election, bad omen for democracy – Mark

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Former Senate President, David Mark, has frowned that the spate of inconclusive election in the ongoing general election in Nigeria, warning that it is not a good omen for the nation’s democracy.
Mark, who said this at the weekend in a chat with newsmen in his Otukpo residence during the rerun governorship election in Benue State, noted that wrong precedent is being set by political parties and actors who employ whatever means to disrupt election so that it is declared inconclusive.
“We are setting a bad precedent because politicians, rather than sell their candidacy and party to the people, decide to disrupt election so that it is declared inconclusive, it is unfortunate. Well, the judiciary is taking it course on such issue”, Mark said.
According to him, politicians should earn respect of the people through free, fair and credible elections, regretting that the manner most of them struggle to win through the back door leaves a lot to desire.
On the scramble for Senate Presidency in the forthcoming 9th National Assembly, he warned against any external interference, advising that the senators be allowed to elect their leaders.
“The process of election of a Senate President is on course. The senators should be allowed to elect who will lead them. The election of the Senate President translates into the Chairman of the National Assembly. The 9th Assembly should be allowed to set their own agenda”, he advised.
Sen. Mark said he will not quit politics, averring that during his political sabbatical, he will continue to do whatever he can to ensure the unity of the nation, as well as development of the Nigerian youths.