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BREAKING: It’s My Turn To Be Senate President – Orji Kalu Declares

Orji Uzor Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate has said it is his turn to become Senate President.
Punch reported that 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.
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 lines for more than 20 years. 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.”
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2023 Elections

BREAKING: APC Suspends Orji Kalu

Senate Chief Whip and former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu has been suspended by the All Progressives Congress (APC) over alleged anti-party activities and other offenses.

APC, in a letter conveying Kanu’s suspension, said it was with immediate effect.

Kalu had been at loggerheads with the leadership and members of Abia APC over allegations that the former Abia governor had been undermining and sabotaging the party in the state.

According to the letter dated February 21, Kalu was suspended for “acts of disobedience and gross anti-party activities”.

The letter was signed by the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Paul Nwabuisi; State Secretary, Chief Chidi Avajah, and the State Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu.

It noted that Kalu, who had been at loggerheads with many APC chieftains in Abia, “has remained unrepentant and without remorse despite several warnings.”

APC explained that Kalu’s suspension came after “thorough investigations and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee set up by the Igbere Ward A in Bende Local Government of Abia State.”

The Abia APC leadership further stated that Kalu’s suspension was in consonance with Article 21B(i-v) of the APC Constitution, which he violated.

The letter read in part: “You are hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The former governor has been accused of working against the APC governorship candidate, Chief Ikechi Emenike.

He has also been accused of promoting the interests of the Action Peoples Party(APP), where his younger brother, Mascot Uzor Kalu, is the governorship candidate.

Meanwhile, Kalu in an interview last Tuesday, publicly admitted and justified supporting and promoting the candidacy of his younger brother, Mascot, saying he is fit to lead the state.

Kalu also claimed that the APC governorship candidate never informed him formally that he was in the governorship race.

He also accused Emenike of abusing him and bearing grudges against him for decades, hence his reluctance to work for him.

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2023 Elections

2023: Nigerians Not Ready For Igbo President – Orji Kalu

Senate Chief Whip and former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu has said that Nigerians are not ready for an Igbo President.

Kalu stated this while speaking Channels Television’s programme, “The 2023 Verdict” on Wednesday.

According to Kalu, the February 25 presidential election is not the best outing for the Igbo people, because the people of the South-East need the support of five other regions for one of their own to be President.

He said, “It is not the best outing for us (Igbo people) because for you to become the President of Nigeria, you need other regions.”

One of the contestants of Igbo extractions among the 18 presidential candidates for the Saturday election is Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

Kalu, a senatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC for Abia North Senatorial District had dismissed the chances of Obi.

He said, “I’m well-experienced; I ran for President in 2007 and I’m not sure Nigerians are yet ready for a President of Igbo extraction. I’m not sure because I have tried to nose around that. We have five other regions to come up with and I am not sure.”

According to Kalu, the people of the South-East are the best professionals but not the best politicians.

He said, “We do politics with emotions and I want Igbos to stop doing politics with emotions; I want Igbos to do practical politics.”

Kalu expressed confidence that APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will win in Abia State and the South-East zone.