Senate Presidency Not For Neophytes - Senator Oyofo

ABUJA, May 04, (THEWILL) – Former senator, Senator Victor Oyofo, today in Abuja cautioned that the presidency of the Senate is not for rookies who do not know their left from right in parliamentary procedures and practices.

Consequently, Oyofo who was in the Senate from 1999 to 2007 ruled out first term Senators from aspiring for any of the principal positions in the Senate.

'Senate Presidency is not for neophytes,' he declared at a press conference.

Also Senator Oyofo kicked against zoning of the Senate Presidency. He insisted that the Senator David Mark as President of the Senate has performed creditably well, particularly for the stability of the nation to merit another term.

"Jettisoning the good leadership qualities of Senator Mark for zoning is retrogressive and would destroy all the achievements of the Senate in the last 12 years.

"For the sake simplicity, I want to re-enact the story from 1999 when we came out of military rule and we started to adjust to democratic experience. At the point we came from 1999-2003, we came from ground zero. There was nothing in the legislature to fall back on. We came we had nothing, not even offices.

"There were no experiences to really upon, not even a library to go to for records. Many of us did not know the differences between a motion and a bill. We had to struggle through and many of you who had been in the National Assembly know that this was a very chaotic period as usual with people who are learning, also because many people did not even understand the import of the legislature.

"As someone privileged to be in The Senate for eight years, I have something to say and justifiably so. Let us discuss the issue of Senate President; we are fortunate now that we have built a history of 12 years. Therefore we must maintain and improve on it. And this maintenance and improvement can only be achieved if we select a Senate President who knows what it is all about.

"There is some issue here, when people are talking about zoning. Zoning was appropriate in 1999-2003 as far as our legislative houses are concern. It is anachronistic, it is no longer relevant. Zoning is retrogression,” he added.

Mentioning the achievements of Senator Mark that qualified him to retain the position, he said, "Fortunately, the good Lord in his wisdom has given us a leadership in The Senate that we must thank Him for. And I am very loud in proclaiming that I am very proud in the leadership of David Mark.

"I am not bashful about it at all. I spent eight years with him; I know he is a man of character, vision, goal and energy to carry out what he sees as being correct. These kinds of people are few in this country today.

"When the ship of the nation was floundering during the health of Yar'Adua it was him who led the National Assembly to give stability to Nigeria. So we must praise the man and salute his courage.

"We don't throw good people away; you keep them to make sure they improve. Legislative House is not a place for neophytes who cannot make a distinction between a gavel and a hammer, who know nothing about a bill, or a motion," Oyofo stated.