By Gbade Ogunwale, The Nation
The Senate yesterday rubber-stamped the candidature of Senators David Mark (Benue South) and Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) as Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
Their candidature was ratified by the body of senators without any opposition. Immediate past Deputy Majority Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (Cross River Central) moved the motion nominating Mark for the office. It was seconded by Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West).
Ekweremadu was nominated by Senator Zaynab Kure (Niger South). Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) seconded the motion.
Ndoma-Egba described Mark as "a social pragmatist, a magnet that moves both friends and foes into his enchanting orbit, a man whose flame and fame continues to illuminate, a patriot, a true nationalist, a detribalised Nigerian, a social and political strategist of no means standing".
He went on: "His socio political charismatic personality ripples through the entire length and breadth of this great nation and beyond. He is a lover of democracy and the rule of law and, above all, a man of immense political sagacity."
Ndoma-Egba said Mark has "all his life displayed vigour without vanity, strength without insolence and courage without ferocity and all the virtues of a natural commander without his vices".
Mark said he was humbled by the confidence unanimously reposed in him by his colleagues, describing the gesture as a new Nigerian spirit, "birth of new National Assembly and increasing maturity in the democratic system".
He added: "As a mark of appreciation and reciprocation for the honour you have done to me, I promise that I will be honest, transparent, fair and will ensure that there is equity and justice. Above all, I will preside with the fear of God."
He described the mandate as a sacred trust, which he promised to hold in trust for the body of senators, and "to work for you, to work with you, and together, we shall all work for a greater Nigeria".
Recognising his position as first among equals, Mark urged collaboration, team spirit, networking and consensus building through dialogue and consultation.
"To accomplish more, we would have to listen and consult more with the civil society, the organised private sector and other major stakeholders," he said, adding:
"Our budgeting system needs radical change. We, as representatives of the people, must initiate legislations that will reduce cost of governance at all levels, thereby freeing resources to attend to the basic needs of the people."
"We would also seek to strengthen the analytical capacity of the National Assembly as it relates to budgeting and oversight functions," he said.
Mark continued: "Our target is that hopefully, this session of the National Assembly shall set a historic record by passing very critical legislations that would propel Nigeria to the 20 most advanced economies."
The National Assembly complex and environs started brimming with human and vehicular traffic as early as 7 am, with dozens of security agents searching incoming vehicles and frisking visitors to the complex.
Many of the lawmakers were accompanied by their wives or husbands and other relatives. They were accommodated in two sections within the Senate chambers.
Hundreds of visitors who came to witness the inauguration could not enter the complex. Many were seated at the Assembly’s main car park. Cars were not allowed in the main park.
Apparently to ease traffic congestion, the lawmakers were brought to the complex in buses and were taken away the same way.
The inauguration began at 10.05 am with the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Salisu Maikasuwa, presiding. He was assisted by his deputy, Olumuyiwa Omojokun.
Clerk of the Senate Mr. Benedict Efeturei and his Deputy, Duduyemi Lawal, were there. Efeturei took the roll call.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Haliru Mohammed and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, among others.
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