Describes call for ING as exercise in futility

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

President, David Mark, yesterday said the country was in a trial moment as it was under tension occasioned by the forthcoming general elections and inflammatory comments by the political class.

Mark also said the call for Interim National Government, ING, in some quarters was a futile exercise that was alien to the nation’s constitution.

Speaking while welcoming senators from recess declared for them to prepare for the botched February 14 elections that had been shifted to March 28, Senator Mark appealed to senators to rise to the occasion and douse the tension in the polity.

He also implored them to refrain from statements that could aggravate the already charged atmosphere in the country.

He said: “Ordinarily, we would have commenced our legislative activities this morning without a welcome address but 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 Interim National Government, ING, 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. This senate is committed to the provisions of our constitution which we swore to protect and we will not do anything to sabotage the democratic process.”

Mark called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to continue to prepare to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible general election.

“We owe it a duty to our country men and women to give INEC all the support it needs to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election,” he added.

The senate president further said it was important to note that on May 29, 2015, a democratic government, elected through a free, fair, transparent and credible election, would be sworn in.