Senate President, David Mark reassures senators-elect

In an apparent move to douse the tension surrounding the election of principal officers of the 7th National Assembly commencing soon, Senate President, David Mark, has given the assurance that he would not discriminate against fresh senators if re-elected into the exalted office.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of the induction retreat for new senators and members-elect of the House of Representatives, holding simultaneously in the six geo-political zones of the country, the Senate President said fresh senators had nothing to fear as they could assume any position of responsibility in the Senate.

Senator Mark used the occasion to rise in defense of moves by the upper legislative chamber to amend its standing rules relating to the election of principal officers.

He said the Senate Rules 2007 had already provided for ranking, as it specified that members previously elected into the Senate should be granted precedence in principal appointments.

The invocation of the rule is seen as a ploy for the Senate President to retain his position, especially by fresh senators eyeing the office.