Senate President David Mark

Kunle  Akogun  in Abuja

Senate President David Mark has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will not provide a safety  net for its members found wanting in their responsibilities as lawmakers. But he said no amount of blackmail will deter the federal legislature from carrying out its oversight functions and cautioned members of the public against compromising lawmakers in the discharge of their duties.

Mark, who stated this in Lagos at the National Assembly-Private Sector Forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that allegations of corruption against the National Assembly were being exaggerated.  He stressed that the National Assembly would continue to clear itself in its determination to meet the expectations of the electorate.   

“There are those who say that the National Assembly takes the bulk of the budget. This is very ridiculous, as what goes to the National Assembly is not more than 2.5 percent of the total budget,” the senate president said.

He stated, “The National Assembly members are always accused of corruption but Nigerians, to a large extent, are responsible for this alleged corruption. If a businessman gives a bribe to a lawmaker, is it only the lawmaker that is corrupt? If the business man didn’t offer the bribe, the lawmaker will not accept. But the question remains: why did he accept it?