Senate President, David Mark, February 17 dismissed allegations about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) plotting to form the interim government.
David Mark
Some senior officials fear that after the elections postponement, the ruling party’s plan is to us the National Assembly to extend President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure through an Interim National Government (ING).
Presidency denied the allegations saying that the Nigerian Constitution does not have a provision for the interim government.
According to Punch, Mark once again touched upon the issue during his welcome speech to senators who resumed their work Tuesday.
The Senate head insisted that the ING was alien to the applicable Constitution and therefore could not be formed under the current democratic arrangement.
Mark urged politicians to stop making dangerous claims.
“These are not ordinary times in our nation. There is palpable tension in the land and the comments and even the body language of the political class further exacerbates the tension.
“As statesmen and women, we must rise to the occasion and help reduce tension. We must refrain from acts or statements that will aggravate this already charged atmosphere across the country.
“This is time for us to be true statesmen and women; both in words and deeds. I am alarmed that the issue of the Interim National Government has been given undeserved prominence in our national discourse.
“This is imprecise, sordid and strange. Interim National Government is alien to the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Therefore, those calling for ING are pushing for an exercise in futility. “
Mark also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) urging the body to fully prepare for conduction of free, fair and credible polls.
It should be noted that the country’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo was also among those who referred to the Constitution saying there is no such a thing as the ING in Nigeria. He spoke with BBC on the matter days before dumping the PDP and tearing into pieces the party’s membership card.
David Mark
Some senior officials fear that after the elections postponement, the ruling party’s plan is to us the National Assembly to extend President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure through an Interim National Government (ING).
Presidency denied the allegations saying that the Nigerian Constitution does not have a provision for the interim government.
According to Punch, Mark once again touched upon the issue during his welcome speech to senators who resumed their work Tuesday.
The Senate head insisted that the ING was alien to the applicable Constitution and therefore could not be formed under the current democratic arrangement.
Mark urged politicians to stop making dangerous claims.
“These are not ordinary times in our nation. There is palpable tension in the land and the comments and even the body language of the political class further exacerbates the tension.
“As statesmen and women, we must rise to the occasion and help reduce tension. We must refrain from acts or statements that will aggravate this already charged atmosphere across the country.
“This is time for us to be true statesmen and women; both in words and deeds. I am alarmed that the issue of the Interim National Government has been given undeserved prominence in our national discourse.
“This is imprecise, sordid and strange. Interim National Government is alien to the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Therefore, those calling for ING are pushing for an exercise in futility. “
Mark also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) urging the body to fully prepare for conduction of free, fair and credible polls.
It should be noted that the country’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo was also among those who referred to the Constitution saying there is no such a thing as the ING in Nigeria. He spoke with BBC on the matter days before dumping the PDP and tearing into pieces the party’s membership card.
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