Give lawmakers multiple terms to deliver results, one term not enough for effective lawmaking – David Mark

Former Senate President and national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has called for longer legislative tenures, a position that comes amid renewed third-term bids by key political figures linked to him in Benue State.

Mark made the call on Saturday while speaking at the launch of The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria, a book authored by former senator Effiong Bob and published by Premium Times Books.

The former lawmaker, who represented Benue South Senatorial District for 20 years, argued that effective lawmaking requires more than one or two terms, insisting that lawmakers need time to fully understand parliamentary procedures and make meaningful impact.

His comment comes as his daughter, Blessing Onuh, seeks a third term in the House of Representatives to represent the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Similarly, Mark’s immediate successor in the Senate, Abba Moro, is also seeking a third term to represent Benue South Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Although Mark did not directly link his remarks to the ongoing electoral contests, he maintained that experienced lawmakers wield greater influence in the legislature and are better positioned to serve their constituents.

“I want to appeal that members, legislators, are given more than one term—two terms, three terms. I spent 20 years in the Senate, and I’m very grateful to my electorate for that opportunity,” Mark said.

He noted that during his final years in the Senate, he no longer relied on the rule book, having mastered parliamentary procedures, unlike first-term lawmakers who often struggle to find their footing.

“In the first four years in the National Assembly, you are lost. You don’t know your way around. You need more than that,” he added.

According to Mark, the culture of limiting lawmakers to one or two terms undermines legislative effectiveness, insisting that “the maximum use” of a legislator cannot be achieved within four years.