No Ambition To Succeed Yar’Adua – Mark

Senate President, Senator David Mark, assumed a defensive position yesterday when he debunked claims in political circles that he has been involved in a plot to succeed ailing President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Mark said he was not nursing an ambition to be acting president and slammed those he called “fifth columnists” for fabricating the rumours of succession plot in a bid to cause disaffection among individuals in government.

He was apparently reacting to some media reports linking him with a plot to scramble for a position in the event of eventuality.

Speaking at the Nigeria Bar Assocation (NBA) Abuja branch Law Week, he state  “This is the handiwork of fifth columnists that are bent on causing disaffection among individuals in government as well as the functionaries of government.

“It is wicked, mischievous, and unpatriotic and smacks of a grand plan to cause divison in the system by those who have found a platform on the status of the health of president Yar’Adua.

“I am not aware of lawmakers holding nocturnal meetings anywhere to fashion out any solution in the fact of eventuality. Neither is there any group canvasssing a position for the President of the Senate, Senator Mark”.

He added, “For the avoidance of doubt, the President of the Senate, Senator Mark, has remained on the same page with Presdient Yar’Adua, his family and our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and we shall not be distracted by rabble rousers.

“As a nation, we are passing through difficult times; there is no doubt about it. But it does not give room for mischief-makers to cause more problems. In which ever faith one professes, all we need at the moment is continoues prayer for the nation and for our president.”

Mark, according to a statement issued on his presentation at the NBA Abuja branch Law Week by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, was quoted to have also said.” I feel very strongly about what is happening; sycophants and praise singers have cashed on the situation, we must condemn these acts.