It is my turn: Orji Kalu Vies for Senate Presidency in 10th National Assembly

Senator Orji Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate and re-elected representative of Abia North in the Red Chamber, has announced his candidacy for the position of Senate President in the upcoming 10th National Assembly. Kalu made this declaration on Tuesday while speaking to newsmen at the National Assembly.

While the All Progressives Congress (APC) maintains a majority in the Senate with 57 seats, party members who are interested in the Senate presidency have been lobbying their colleagues for support. Aside from Kalu, several other senators including Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Sani Musa of Niger, Barau Jibrin of Kano, and Dave Umahi of Ebonyi have also shown interest in the position.

The final candidates for the position will be determined largely by zoning, though the APC leadership has not yet zoned the Senate presidency. Many believe that the party may zone the position to the South for power balance, especially after the Muslim-Muslim ticket it fielded in the last election triggered backlash from some quarters, especially the Christian community.

Kalu, a ranking lawmaker from the South East, said that it was his turn to become Senate President, promising to work for the good of Nigeria if elected. “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,” he said.