ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- As the race for the 10th Senate President continues to heat up, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has advised the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Imo West Senator, Osita Izunaso, to step down for Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.
According to Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Governor Umahi would better represent the interest of the South-East as Senate President.
Isiguzoro told Daily Post that Umahi would work closely with the President-elect, Bola Tinubu if elected as President of the Senate.
He added that the Senate should jettison its standing rule and ensure Umahi’s emergence as the next Senate President.
According to Isiguzoro: “We have looked at the characters and are saying all contenders from the Southeast should step down for Dave Umahi.
“Irrespective of the standing rule and doctrine of necessity, the 10th Assembly should have a Senate President who can work with the President-elect and be an arrow-head that would douse Biafra agitation, restore insecurity in the South-East, stop the support Obidients give to Obi in this matter.
“Also, Umahi can never be a rubber stamp; he would support Asiwaju based on his antecedent as the political leader of the South-East.
“If not for his EFCC cases, it would be a Banana peel that would disgrace the Senate President out of office. Look at what happened to Saraki; he was on trial while occupying the seat due to some lapses and past antecedents.
“So, in such a situation, Orji Kalu has the constitutional right to aspire for the position of Senate President.
“Ohanaeze had already tried persuading him, but he has not accepted. But we are giving it as a marching order that our position is very clear because you can not stop anybody constitutionally.
“Orji Kalu has always come against the collective interest of the Ndigbos. A man who adopted Ahmed Lawan to be president in 2023 when his own people were claiming for the presidency
“A man that claimed he brought Ruga in 1999 when his people were against Ruga. He always worked against the collective interest of Ndigbo; hence the South-East can’t support him.
“We are using this opportunity to beg him and Izunazu to step down for Governor Dave Umahi and allow the decision of Ndigbo to suprecede their personal interest.
“This is the right position to take at this time if we are to get it right in APC.”