Senate President, David Mark Urges Politicians To Avoid Unguarded Utterances In 2014

Mr. Mark advised politicians to respect the rule of law at all times.

The Senate President, David Mark, on Tuesday urged politicians to guard against utterances, actions, and inactions capable of overheating the polity.

Mr. Mark made the plea in a New Year message issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan.

In it, he advised politicians to respect the rule of law at all times and uphold the fundamental rights of other citizens as enshrined in the constitution.

“For me, I crave for a country where every citizen is a stakeholder, where there is justice, peace, equal opportunities and where no one is oppressed or marginalised.

“Since we got it right in 1999, we must not in any way do anything that would take the nation back to the dark days again.

“After all, God did not make mistake in keeping us together’’, the statement said.

He commended Nigerians for their perseverance, resilience and total commitment to the ideals of nationhood in spite of the daunting challenges facing the nation.

Mr. Mark also praised the `indomitable’ spirit of the citizens and urged them to continue to work assiduously for the peace and unity of the country.

“I do not know of any other country that is so blessed with human and natural resources.

“All we need do, therefore, is to honestly harness these resources for the good of all.’’

The Senate President said the challenges facing the nation were surmountable because other developed nations at various times overcame similar difficulties to evolve into greatness.

“The only difference is that the people resolved to identify the problem and proffered a common solution. This is what we need in our own case, to reason together like one people and to solve our problems like one people’’, he added.

The message assured that the National Assembly would continue to focus on legislative actions geared toward promoting the welfare and interest of Nigerians. It pledged sustained cooperation of the legislature with other arms of government to ensure speedy passage of the 2014 Appropriation Act.

On his part, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, urged Nigerians to pray for the nation and demonstrate the highest sense of patriotism in the New Year.

Mr. Ekweremadu also made the call in a New Year message issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu.

The message said that prayers and patriotism were essential ingredients in the efforts to strengthen democracy, peace and development.

According to the message, 2014 is going to be an important year as the nation prepares for the 2015 general elections.

“This is one significant event in the nation’s life, especially the efforts to consolidate our democracy.’’

It urged politicians to place the common good and national interest above every personal, ethno-religious and sectional interests to avoid overheating the polity.

It added that the National Assembly would ensure the speedy conclusion of the ongoing constitution amendment in 2014 and also review the Electoral Act 2010.

The message said the reform of the electoral process was aimed at addressing the loopholes in the Electoral Act to ensure smooth general elections in 2015 and beyond.

(NAN)

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