10th Senate: It’s my turn to be Senate President , declares Orji Kalu
The Chief Whip of the Senate and member the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) , representing the Abia North Senatorial district , Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu, has declared his intension to run for Senate presidency in the 10th National Assembly, claiming that it is his turn.
Kalu, who won re-election to represent Abia North in the Red Chamber at February 28 election , disclosed this Tuesday while briefing newsmen at the National Assembly.
Recall that the ruling APC maintained a majority in the Senate, having secured 57 seats and the party’s senators are eyeing the Senate presidency and have been lobbying their colleagues to seek their support.
Aside from Kalu, who has publicly declared interest in the position, Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Sani Musa (Niger); Barau Jibrin (Kano); and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) are also said to be interested in running for the coveted office.
The final candidates for the position will largely be determined by zoning.
However, the APC leadership said it has not zoned the Senate presidency.
Some pundits believe that it is likely that APC might zone the post to the South for power balance, especially after its Muslim-Muslim ticket triggered outrage from some quarters, especially the Christian community.
Kalu told reporters that it was his turn to become Senate President, being a ranking lawmaker and from the South East.
He said, “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 am the only governor, who has never changed my phone number since I became governor 24 years ago. The same MTN I have is what I’m having and I will be willing to still maintain that phone number to answer to 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.”
