David Mark As Senate President...Mark My Words

By

Prince Charles Dickson

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Jos, Plateau Nigeria

Two things that I know very well:  not all smart people play chess, but no dumb person plays chess. Is David Mark, a fine gentleman, is he a symbol of Nigeria's budding democracy. Was David Mark an unrepentant third term exponent or a man that played to the gallery or it was just a case of political expediency. Oh, no one should hold me on this, but did David Mark win the elections into the Senate.

Is this the same David Mark that was quoted as stating that telephone was not for the poor, was he right...He never disputed or claimed to be misquoted on that. Is David Mark up to the task of heading Nigeria's hallowed chambers at this trying times of the Nation.

Can David disappoint party at the expense of the Nation, can anyone point to the positives of David Mark's career in the last 20 years... Is this not the David, once a bastion of corruption alongside the Mantus, Swinging Zwingina and co.

Is David Mark's leadership of the Senate not founded on the falsehood of PDP's corrupt zoning arrangement...Okay, is this foundation not a sea sand, subject to crumble.

David Mark, is he the same that became an overnight democrat during Abacha's time, the same Mark that was rumoured to own a golf course either in Switzerland or Ireland, one of those lands, is he? Have we forgotten that Banana peel which Wabara played with at his own expense, same Banana if time had allowed would have consumed Nnamani, it fell Okadigbo, also Evan or Evans. How long will David Mark last, David Mark the party loyalist, the systems man? I am sure that as an officer that David Mark is not as unintelligent as many want to portray him. He is not unaware of his environment. I am sure he is aware that Obasanjo's blessings come with a price. Already some members of the Senate have alerted the public of a plan to rubbish the Senate President...Can an upright man be rubbished without his consent. Heading the Senate is not a task that should be taken lightly. Nigerians believe that the Present Senate has a role to play in stabilizing a polity that is going down the drain. But with the emergence of a David Mark, a lot of people are shaking their heads in concern. Is it possible that Judas wont betray Jesus given a different scenario, can David Mark be trusted not to disappoint.

This is the sixth National Assembly under this dispensation, is there hope that there would be a "MARKED" difference, would David Mark and his buddies for once act as agents of progressive change, lift words from paper and translate into action? If Nigeria is to move ahead, and make progress even on a morally faulty foundation, can David and the new kids on the block tighten their seat belts and drive Nigerians following the rules of the constitution, legislating with the common-man as their watch word? With almost nine ex-Governors that possess questionable characters, men and women with tainted glasses for images in the National Assembly, will this sixth House under David Mark mark the heralding of a new improved National Assembly with a virile leadership.

The task before David Mark is ernomous, like Yar'adua, his emergence again begs for answers as regard the psyche of the Nigerian Polity. Is it possible that this body would work towards the deepening and strengthening of the polity or again here comes another corrupt era.

Since 1999 Nigerians cannot really point to a six months period in which we as citizens smiled or had no scandal or thievery to cry to, even our soccer which hitherto was a source of joy brought only tears, sorrow and anguish. The National Assembly was a lame duck, the only conquest being the "third term" and how quick to remember that Apostle David Mark left his mark in that inglorious episode.

Nigerians have continually had their high hopes dashed...the National Assembly with all the notice it had. First it has embarked on a three and two weeks recess respectively for lack of accommodation, the need to sought out logistic problems and again billions are being alloted to them even before they begin the task ahead...Is there hope.

As much as I agree that part of Nigeria's problem is Nigeria and Nigerians, the led and leaders, our impatience, the arm-chair critic...I say with avoidance of doubt and with strong conviction that the present era, Executive, Legislative and Judiciary are again at the threshold of history. For David Mark and his National Assembly, Mark my words, it would be marginal success or monumental failure...Almighty Allah save us from ourselves in this new journey. Afterthought: Congrats to both David Mark, Madam Patricia Etteh, Principal Officers, and the entire National Assembly, Two things that I know very well:  not all smart people play chess, but no dumb person plays chess. The yam is yours, farm is yours, you have fertilizer, best of farm implements...the reason why you would fail is because you all never wanted to succeed, so prove us wrong and pleeeeaasee succeed. No dumb person sits in the Senate but not all the smart ones are part of the process. You all should 'MARK' my words For: Center For Free Speech And Expression (CFES) Public Policy Market...Marketplace Of Ideas Yours In The Service Of Nation...For the Good Of All And In High Regards...I Remain Prince Charles Dickson