A letter by President Goodluck Jonathan to the Senate yesterday caused a stir, as many senators took umbrage at the letter which reportedly endorsed Senate President David Mark for the position when the new upper chamber is inaugurated on May 29.Some of the senators who spoke to Daily Champion on the conditions of anonymity said the President had by the letter preempted senators many who desire for a change of leadership.

The President�s choice for Mark may have unsettled Governor Danjuma Goje of Gombe who is said to be scheming to replace Mark next month.

President Jonathan in a letter to the Senate President and read on the floor of the Senate said: working together (with Mark), I am confident that we can successfully drive our nation�s transformation over the next four years�

However, there were speculations that Uche Chukwumerije may have pitched tent with Goje in his bid to stop the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

Chukwumerije who was said to be working for Governor Goje was alleged to have decided to give his kinsman a fight for his job next month.

Daily Champion gathered that Chukwumerije was alleged to have declared his interest to run with Goje even when odds favour Senator Enyinna Abaribe for the job.

Our source said some of the northern senators would rather go for Abaribe in the event Ekweremadu fail than to have Chukwumerije as the deputy senate president. Although Abaribe was said to have remain mute over such ambition, but source alleged that Ekweremadu may not face stiff opposition.

Jonathan in a letter of congratulation to Mark over his victory at the National Assembly election assured the senate president of his support in the next four years

He said: “I assure you of the federal government�s unstinting support as we jointly work to reposition Nigeria for her God-ordained greatness”.

He said the re-election of Mark� should therefore be seen as a further call to service and an opportunity for moral introspection, spiritual reorganization and a new resolve to chart a glorious future for your people�

Meanwhile the Idoma professors have endorsed the Senate President, saying that would be counter productive to change what they called �a winning team�.

The professors in a statement signed by Prof. Owoicho Akpa said their son has made an indelible mark in the Senate, adding that his track record is strong enough to earn him fresh four year tenure in office.
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