How I avoided ‘banana peels’ for eight years as Senate President

The immediate past President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator David Mark, has revealed how he ran the affairs of the Senate successfully for eight uninterrupted years without stepping on the proverbial banana peels.

Mark, a former military administrator, who led the Nigerian Senate as President between 2007 and 2015, revealed that the success recorded during his tenure can only be attributed to God, the prayers of good spirited Nigerians and collective will of his colleagues.

He made these revelations while addressing political stakeholders and paramount rulers in Ado, Oju and Obi Local Government Areas of Benue State on Wednesday.

Mark’s visit to the council areas, according to Paul Mumeh, his Media Aide, was in continuation of his (Mark) thank you visit to the nine local government areas in Benue South after 20 years in the Senate.

Mark said, “It was not by my power. It was God, the prayers of good spirited Nigerians and collective will of my colleagues worked the magic.

“I have no power of my own. It was the Grace of God, the support and prayers of our people and the collective will of my colleagues that helped me evade the banana peels for eight years”.

Mark stated that no Senator is bigger than the other adding that each and everyone is qualified to be a presiding officer.

“So, we respect each other and takes collective decisions that give everyone a sense of belonging”.

He said there was need to come back home to thank his people for the unweavering support and encouragement for 20 years, saying “I may not have accomplished everything, but I did my best.

“The multi-billion naira Otobi water dam, the Loko/ Oweto bridge and road, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) study centre, the David Mark scholarship foundation among others are testimonies that I did my best”.He said he will continue to identify with his people for developmental projects even as he reminded them of the need to uphold the sanctity of peace and unity.

In their separate remarks, the paramount rulers of Ado, HRH, Ochiko Onazi and his Oju counterpart HRH Oga Ero praised Mark for the initiative to embark on a thank you tour of his constituency even while leaving office.

The royal fathers said it was rare and not known in our history that public office holders return home to say thank you after leaving office.