Orji Kalu, Chief Whip of the Senate, has declared his intention to contest for Senate presidency in the 10th National Assembly.
Briefing newsmen at the National Assembly, the Senator who representing Abia North in the Red Chamber, disclosed his intention for the exalted position of Senate President.
The ruling All Progressives Congress maintained a majority in the Senate, having secured 57 seats. APC senators eyeing the Senate presidency have therefore started lobbying their colleagues to seek their support.
It was reliably gathered that 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.
It is also believed that the final candidates for the position will largely be determined by zoning. However, the APC leadership said it has not zoned the Senate presidency.
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.
