BREAKING: It’s my turn to be Senate President, Kalu declares

Orji Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate, has announced that he will run for Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.

This was revealed by Kalu on Tuesday while briefing reporters at the National Assembly. Kalu was re-elected to serve as Abia North’s representative in the Red Chamber.

Having won 57 seats, the governing All Progressives Congress still holds a majority in the Senate.

Senators from the APC who want to lead the Senate have been pleading with their colleagues for help.

Sani Musa (Niger), Barau Jibrin (Kano), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) are reportedly rumoured to be interested in contesting for the coveted position, in addition to Kalu, who has publicly announced his interest in the role.

Zoning will in large part determine who the final job applicants are.

The Senate president has not, according to the APC leadership, been zoned.

According to some pundits, the APC may zone the seat to the South to maintain a balance of power, especially because its Muslim-Muslim ticket has angered other groups, particularly the Christian community.

As a senior lawmaker from the South East, Kalu informed reporters that it was his turn to lead the Senate.

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Kalu, has declared his intention to contest for Senate presidency in the 10th National Assembly.

Kalu, who won re-election to represent Abia North in the Red Chamber, disclosed this Tuesday while briefing newsmen at the National Assembly.

The ruling All Progressives Congress maintained a majority in the Senate, having secured 57 seats.

APC senators eyeing the Senate presidency 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.

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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’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.”