SENATORS FORM 'SELL GROUP' TO RETURN MARK AS SENATE PRESIDENT

As the contest for the office of the President of the Senate increased in tempo, some returning and out-going Senators have formed what they called 'Sell Group' for the commencement of 'door to door' campaign that involved personal contacts for Senator David Mark, whom they described as a worthy and charismatic leader deserving of support.

This is even as Senators-elect and former governors of Anambra and Nasarawa states Chris Ngige and Abdullahi Adamu respectively, have openly declared their support for the candidacy of Senator Mark for the position of Senate President. Former Governor Abdullahi Adamu was one of those earlier speculated as having interest in contesting for the position.

This is even as out-going Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora and returnee Senator Ehigie Uzamere (ACN, Edo) are leading the campaign towards mobilizing Senators-elect of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) while second term Senator-elect but fourth term member of the National Assembly, Senator Ahmed Lawan (ANPP) Yobe, is leading the 'Sell Group' of Senators to canvass for the support of not only ANPP Senators, but Senators-elect from the North-East.

Similarly, returnee Senator Sahabi Ya'u Alhaji (PDP Zamfara) is leading the Senator Mark 'Sell Group' campaign in the North-West by reaching out to his PDP colleagues who are in the majority from the zone as well as meeting Senators-elect of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). The South-South zone is believed to be a sealed ticket for Senator Mark as the returnee Senators and Senators-elect from the zone are believed to have reached an agreement to vote for Senator Mark enbloc should there be any contest for the position.

The South-South 'Sell Group' is being led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, a very close ally of Senator Mark. He is being assisted by Senator James Manager (PDP Delta) and Emmanuel Paulker from Bayelsa State. Senator Ya'u told Daily Sun that any Senator desirous of stability and exceptional leadership qualities, would have no choice for now than to campaign and vote for Senator Mark, adding that even if the PDP had no plan before now to re-zone the position to the North Central geo-political zone, it should for the sake of stability of the polity allow Senator Mark retain the position.

Senator Ya'u stressed that the only way the legislature can further develop, is by allowing people with exceptional leadership qualities and experience into leadership positions to allow others tap from their wealth of experience for the benefit of the generality of the people. Senator Ya'u, who is the out-going Chairman of Senate Committee on States and Local Governments, noted that Senator Mark as President of the Senate in the last four years exhibited rare leadership qualities devoid of religious and ethnic sentiments as well as party, affiliations, saying; 'to throw away such a person would simply mean that the country is not ready to make any head way.'

According to Senator Y'a; 'I have asked myself a few questions as a Senator and my answers are the basis for my decisions because when uncertainties and perplexity filled the whole of Nigeria following the ill-health of the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua which created a very serious problem for the country, Senator David Mark through his 'doctrine of necessity' provided the light we saw at the end of the tunnel.

'This was commended worldwide. If he did not get a return ticket, then of course, you can begin to think of another person, but here, you have him back to the Senate and we should all support him to continue with the good work he has been doing. I am sure that even the international community would not take us seriously if we begin to drop such people who have made the country proud.

'Since he assumed office as Senate President he had always treated every issue before the Senate based on its merits. Look at the constitution amendment as well as the Electoral Act, the journey was indeed turbulent but he was able to put it under control and today, the country can proudly talk about an amended Constitution, so if we are really patriotic I think we should allow such people to continue in the interest of the country,' he said.