Northern stakeholders drawn across party and religious divides are set to convene to deliberate over the choice of the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu and Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) as preferred candidates for Senate President and Deputy Senate President of the 10th National Assembly, respectively.
It was learnt that, yesterday, the stakeholders comprising some senators-elect, traditional and religious stalwarts, have agreed to meet and brainstorm on the endorsement of the Senate Chief Whip and his Niger East senator colleague as the choice of President-elect, BolaTinubu, and senators-elect.
Tinubu had, during the week, accepted that the All Progressives Congress zone the Senate presidency of the incoming 10th National Assembly.
The development formed the details of what transpired at the last meeting with the President-elect, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and some National Assembly members.
Many. however, expressed their confidence in the duo of returning senators Kalu and Musa to the offices of the President and Deputy Senate President of the National Assembly.
Moved by the development, a member of the NWC from the North, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that there is still disagreement among the Northern stakeholders on who becomes the Senate President.
On the yet-to-be-decided date, the stakeholders are expected to reach a truce on the issue.
It was learnt that some stakeholders still want the North to produce the Senate president while others are willing to concede the office to the South East.
Also, according to the NWC member, “The South East may have been ignored in the past and we do not want a situation whereby the incoming government will be faced with a lot of challenges. The political consciousness and awareness in today’s Nigeria is one that should not be overlooked.
“We know we gave the votes but peaceful governance should also be considered. We will meet and take decisions on the President-elect’s decision.
“We are definitely not against his choice of senators Kalu and Musa as President and Deputy President, respectively, because both of them are acceptable to all Nigerians considering their character and personality.
“But we will also want the President-elect to take serious measures to appreciate the North West for their contribution, the source disclosed.”
Another ranking senator-elect, who also pleaded anonymity, said the meeting of the stakeholders will help the North to move in unison.
According to the senator-elect, it is expected that every region will fight for their interest to be protected in the incoming administration.
On the choice of Orji Kalu, the lawmakers held that there are no grudges against the candidature of the former Abia governor describing him as a strong ally of the North.
“We are not opposed to Kalu becoming the Senate president; over the years, he has proven to have our interest at heart, as you can see from the prestigious traditional titles he has earned from us, but we need to come together and agree on this because our interest is paramount. By the end of the meeting involving various stakeholders in the North, we will know the direction of the North.
“It will strengthen us more. If the Senate president will not come to us we will make other demands. We will support the choice of Kalu and Musa, because they have the numbers to win the election too.
“They are popular among the northern senators and it is fair and just to have a South Easterner as the President of the 10th Assembly. Many of my colleagues share the same sentiment that a South Easterner should be president of the Senate.”
