ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate, has declared his intention to contest for Senate presidency in the 10th National Assembly.
The former Abia State Governor, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen at the National Assembly.
Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), maintained a majority in the Senate, having secured 57 seats.
APC Senators who are eyeing the Senate presidency are said to have started lobbying their colleagues to seek their support.
Aside from Kalu, who has publicly declared interest in the position, others who are said to be interested in the office include, Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Sani Musa (Niger); Barau Jibrin (Kano); and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi).
The candidates for the position will largely be determined by zoning, however, the APC leadership said it has not zoned the Senate presidency.
Some political pundits believe that it is likely that APC might zone the post to the South for power balance, especially after its Muslim-Muslim ticket which triggered outrage from some quarters, especially the Christian community.
Kalu, who won re-election to represent Abia North in the Red Chamber, told reporters that it was his turn to become Senate President, being a ranking lawmaker and from the South-East also.
His words: “It is my turn to become the Senate President. If I’m elected Senate President, I will be team Nigeria. I’m going to work in every corner of Nigeria.
“I schooled in Maiduguri, Borno State. I started my business in Lagos and spread it across all state capitals. My first name will be team Nigeria, my last name will be team Nigeria.
“Remember, I’m the only former Governor who has never changed phone line for more than 20 years ago. I’m still willing to maintain that telephone number to answer all my calls. I’m not going to switch off my phones because I’m Senate President.
“I’m hoping that Nigerians will pray for me to become Senate President because it’s my turn.”