Senate President, David Mark, said on Tuesday that the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to concede defeat in the 2015 Presidential election saved Nigeria from crisis and catastrophe.Mark, who stated this while welcoming back his colleagues to the chamber after the Easter break and the 2015 General Elections, therefore, urged all politicians to emulate the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the nation’s president.
Jonathan’s action, according to Mark, did not only save Nigeria from a possible crisis and catastrophe, but also added value to the consolidation of democracy in the country.
He also said the current development in the country had raised the benchmark for peaceful democratic transition and consequently set a new democratic template in Africa hitherto notorious for its infamous sit-tight leaders.
The senate president also commended the president-elect for extending a hand of fellowship to Jonathan and his team through conciliatory statements that further re-inforced the unity and peace of the country.
He commended Nigerians for their comportment before, during and after the elections stressing that by their action, “we have proved to the world that Nigeria has laid a solid foundation for democracy to thrive.”
He expressed satisfaction that Nigerians hearkened to the persistent appeals from the senate for a peaceful and violence-free election.
The outcome of the elections, he said, “have greatly disappointed doomsday prophets who predicted disaster and even a possible break up of our country.”
He said, “I consider it imperative at this point to share my thought with you. The beauty of every contest is in participating. Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. It is the same with every election.
“Whichever way it goes, as long as it reflects the wishes of the people and it is in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, we must learn to accept the outcome in good faith.
“In this regard, I would like to commend the maturity and sportsmanship displayed by President Goodluck Jonathan, who willingly conceded defeat and immediately congratulated the President-Elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, even before the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the result.”
Mark urged his colleagues to utilise the remaining weeks left in their tenure to conclude what may be outstanding in the current legislative calendar in order to give the incoming parliament a solid foundation to build upon in the service of the country.
Mark congratulated members of the present and past members of the National Assembly who won elections as governors or were re-elected for a second term.
He urged them to continue to exhibit the highest sense of duty and responsibility anchored on transparency, accountability and honesty which they have demonstrated over the years.
Mark noted that the introduction of the Card Readers added value to the electoral process, and urged Nigerians to accept and indeed imbibe the new voting technology.
Meanwhile, the senate president, on Tuesday swore-in Senator David Umar, the All Progressives Congress Senator representing the Niger East Senatorial District.
The Appeal Court recently declared Umar winner of the by-election which was held last year and declared in favour of Nuhu Zagbayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, following the death of the occupant of the seat, the late Senator Awaisu Kuta.
Umar would conclude the current Seventh Senate in June and resume as a member of the Eight Senate immediately having defeated the incumbent governor of the state, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu of the PDP, for the same senatorial district
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