By Nuel Suji, Abuja.
The President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, has again taken stock of the unfolding political scenario in the country and submitted that, “what the nation need now is genuine reconciliation of all sections of the country and not otherwise.”
Senator Mark therefore enjoined the in-coming Muhammadu Buhari administration to take as a priority genuine reconciliation of all Nigerians in order to assuage the feelings of some aggrieved persons.
Senator Mark said despite different political affiliations on which public officers were elected, “what must be paramount is the service, welfare and security of Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences”.
Addressing the congregation at a thanksgiving Mass ahead of the end of the 7th Senate at St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo in Abuja yesterday , Senator Mark canvassed the need to address the insecurity situation especially in the North East zone ravaged by Boko Haram .
He counseled public office seekers against desperation for power saying “there is no need to be desperate for power, since power comes from God. Once we acknowledge this, we will not be at each other’s throat.”
Senator Mark gave credit to Almighty God for sustaining him throughout the eight years as President of the Senate.
He stated: “my 16 years in the Senate and eight years as the President of the Senate is the Lord’s doing, not by my own wisdom, power, intelligence or fame and influence.”
He specifically expressed appreciation to his colleagues in the Senate and by extension the House of Representatives for the support and cooperation which he said helped him to succeed as the President of the Senate.
Senator Mark added, “It has been a unique opportunity to serve in a public office. If God has not permitted us, we could not have achieved the much we have done for the people and above all for God.”
Earlier in his homily, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan counseled politicians to reduce the political tension in the country by avoiding the winner takes all syndrome.
Onaiyekan urged the Gen. Muhammed BUHARI in- coming administration to take the nation as his constituency and carry everybody along in the scheme of things adding, “Mr. President- Elect should see himself as the president of Nigeria and not of All Progress Congress, (APC).”
He further admonished the in- coming administration to use its campaign mantra of change to reorientate and indeed change the attitude of Nigerians for good.
