Senator David Mark is a well-known Nigerian leader who has been in the corridor of powers from his days as a military officer till now as democratically elected Senator. OLUJIDE OLUSOLA writes on this enigma who has bestridden the political landscape with panache.
On May 29, 1999, the Fourth Republic was ushered in Nigeria and that began the final end of the military era in Nigeria. With the advent of a renewed and regenerated democracy, all stakes were high to see how multi-faced society like Nigeria will perform.
Political leaders were elected into various positions across the nation, the federal, state and local government levels. And one of such leaders elected in 1999 was and still remains David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark.
He was elected as a Senator representing the Benue South Constituency in Benue State and has remained in the Red Chamber ever since.
He has ever lived a life full of controversy right from his military days; he had always wined and dined with controversy.
Before his journey into politics, he was a military administrator in Niger State, a state he breathed his first from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985, under the now President Muhammadu Buhari He later became a minister of communication where controversy became synonymous with his name.
Several controversial statements were linked to him. He was said to have opined that telephones were an exclusive right of the rich and not for the poor. He was also said to have inappropriately amassed wealth through a $77 million ‘telecommunication deal’ under General Ibarahim Babaginda. He also had legal battles with one of his several wives in the United Kingdom where he had to forfeit 6 million pounds.
He is a great lover of golf and is rumoured to have invested 5.9 million pounds in the 18-hole St Margaret Golf Club near Dublin and has his own course, in Otukpo, Benue State.
David Mark became the Senate President on June 6, 2007 till 6 June 2015 when he was swept out of power by the ruling All Progressives Congress and had to become a floor member. He declined to head any committee set up by the incumbent Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
However, kudos must be given to David Mark for his exemplary leadership qualities he exhibited during his tenure. It is on record that the executive and legislature had the smoothest of relationship devoid of the usual rancour common with the previous leadership.
It will be recalled that a former minister of state for education, Professor Jerry Anthony Agada once said the presence of Mark at the national assembly had stabilized the nation’s democracy.
“The reason for the endorsement is that the much expected acrimonies that may arise as a result of cut-throat competition will be eliminated as far as PDP is concerned.
“Nigerians should appreciate us (Idoma) for consenting to give them David Mark, who is performing creditably well to keep the country united”, he said.
The ex-guber candidate in Benue State noted that those complaining about the long stay of Mark at the Senate were selfish individuals looking out for personal gains and not the interest of the people, stressing that many Nigerians craved for Mark’s continuity for the stability of the nation.
“What we want as Nigerians is a situation where our democracy can be sustained, a situation where development can be brought into the country and a situation where people will feel happy that things are going on very well. I think that is the representation that David Mark is giving to the country”, he added.
One remarkable incident was the introduction of ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ which saved the country from a complete shut down shortly before the death of the sick former president, Musa Yar’Adua and the ‘cabals’ were hell bent on not letting the then Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan take charge of the country.
THE HERALD went to town to get people’s opinion on his recent electoral victory. The former Senate President defeated his sole challenger, Daniel Onjeh, a 41-year old former students’ leader, who contested on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The rerun was conducted after the Appeal Court annulled the March 28, 2015, election of which Mr. Mark was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Declaring the results of the rerun at 5.51am on Sunday, the Senatorial Returning Officer, Ishaq Eneji, said Mr. Mark garnered 84,192 votes, leaving a margin of 12,571 between him and Mr. Onjeh, who scored 71,621 votes.
The general opinion before his victory was what his usefulness was in the Senate. It will be recalled that a picture went viral wherein he sat and just looked on without any contribution during the ministerial screening, last year.
According to a social commentator who declined to have his name in prints said “David Mark is an enigma who knows his political onions so well. He once said that he would always win election of only his mother votes for him, and that speaks volume of the kind of power he yields as a political leader.’
Another respondent, Kunle Ojo said “Its good David Mark is back to the Senate as his experience will be needed at the critical time of our nation.” But I don’t see his value because he has not contributed anything since the 8th Assembly was inaugurated.”
Nigerian democracy is modelled after the United States whereby legislators have unlimited number of terms to spend. There are simply no fixed terms of specific number of years like the Executive arm. Hence why he has been returned to the Senate to represent his people. He will be the longest serving Senator in Nigeria history.
The question asked is what does he have to offer on his fifth mandate? The answer to the question will be known in months to come.