A former President of the Senate, David Mark, has denied receiving over N2bn from the Peoples Democratic Party through a National Assembly account for distribution to members of the chamber.
Mark, in a statement on Sunday by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, said as a law-abiding citizen, he had answered an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to deny the allegation.
Mumeh noted that it was “the first and only official statement from the office of Mark on this issue.”
The statement partly read, “Our attention has been drawn to media reports wherein it was reported that former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, was quizzed by the EFCC over some alleged financial transactions.
“To set the record straight, Senator Mark was invited by the EFCC via a letter addressed to the National Assembly to answer questions on the 2015 presidential election campaign funds as it concerned Benue State. As a law-abiding citizen, Senator Mark honoured the invitation.
“Curiously, they also alleged that the PDP paid over N2bn into the National Assembly’s account which he, as the then President of the Senate, allegedly shared among the 109 senators, including the PDP, the Action Congress of Nigeria and the All Nigerians Peoples Party (members) in 2010.
“Again, to the best of his knowledge, Senator Mark is not aware of such transactions. This simply did not make sense to any right thinking member of the society. Senator Mark wondered why anybody would think that the PDP will pay money into the National Assembly account. He however clarified all the issues raised before returning home.
“Senator Mark believes in due process and the rule of law. He has maintained a clean record of public service over the years and will continue to uphold the highest standard of conduct expected of public servants.”
The statement added that politicians across party lines, friends and well-wishers were now on “pilgrimage” to Mark’s house ever since to identify with him “at this moment.”
It added, “He however appealed to his supporters, friends and associates to remain calm and see his current travails as a price he has to pay for leadership.