Ahead of the June 8 inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly, a group of the South-South All Progressives Congress, Urhobo Political Group (UPG), has thrown its weight behind the South-East geopolitical zone to produce the next Deputy Senate President.
The group also endorsed the candidature of Senator(elect) Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu for the position of Deputy Senate President of the Ninth Senate.
Igbere TV reports that the endorsement was carried out through an unanimous voice vote by members of the group during a meeting held at the Owumi Guest House, Ughelli, on Wednesday.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of members of the group, UPG Coordinator, Hon Jerry Uloho described Kalu as a man of integrity whose track record as governor of Abia state was enviable and without blemish.
He said electing the former governor as Deputy Senate President would add candour to the image of Nigeria that is presently in a near obscure level.
As an industrialist who has made much input in the economy of the country, the group said Orji Kalu as DSP would be a plus to the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari in his attempt to salvaging Nigeria economy and the fight against corruption.
“Orji Kalu is cool headed and a personality whose character is not in doubt. We are not comfortable with having a rascal and controversial figure that would rubbish the image of the Senate and the nation at large in the eyes of the global community.
“If Orji Kalu becomes the DSP everybody will sleep, heavens will not destroy heavens. His promotion will not be a punishment to fellow Nigerians and with Orji Kalu, not only the South-South and South-East but the entire nation would be comfortable,” he said.
The group, therefore, urged all elected senators to give Orji Kalu the needed support to emerge as Deputy Senate President of the 9th Assembly.
Recall that Kalu, had on several occasion, declared he would contest the Deputy Senate President position of the Ninth National Assembly.
The Forbes-rated billionaire, while maintaining his position on the DSP post, said he was the 56th senator to endorse Ahmed Lawan for the Senate Presidency.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Buhari, on Monday, the former Abia governor said, “Well, I am going to contest on the floor of the Senate. I am waiting for the party to zone (the offices) and if the party continues to hold it, and don’t zone it, I will contest on the floor of the House.
“I have already endorsed Ahmed Lawan as the Senate President. That is sacrosanct in my mind and I am appealing to the other parties, let us have only one candidate in the Senate instead of going to drag for it. So, we are on course.
“Yesterday (Sunday), when I returned from Venezuela, Ahmed Lawan was with me in the house and I became the 56th APC senator to endorse him. As I am talking to you now, we are having two more people who are in Mecca, one senator from Katsina and the other from Lagos. Fifty-eight senators are going to sign in and we have the majority to make him Senate President.”
He expressed optimism that the executive and the 9th National Assembly would work harmoniously unlike what obtained in the outgoing 8th Assembly.
