Ahead of the June 11 inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly, some Northern Emirs have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator-elect for Abia North Senatorial District, for the position of Deputy Senate President in the Ninth Senate, Igbere TV reports.
This comes just as opposition Peoples Democratic Party governors declared support for the All Progressives Congress lawmaker-elect, calling on members-elect of the PDP to queue behind him on June 11.
Confirming the development, an impeccable source in the palace of one of the Emirs, stressed that the choice of Kalu is borne out of the former governor’s goodwill across the board.
He said Kalu, though a non-northerner and non-muslim, has a close relationship with people of the (Northern) region.
Besides, he noted that Kalu as Deputy Senate President will add value to the National Assembly and the Buhari administration.
He said the former Abia governor has worked hard to popularise the APC in the South East since he joined the party, as well as for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.
“Kalu has demonstrated leadership whether you consider his forays in politics, business, philanthropy, youth empowerment or brokering peace, and we are sure that his emergence as Deputy Senate President will add value to the National Assembly and the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“Unlike others, Kalu is a detribalised Nigerian leader, a fact reflected in the number of friends he has across Nigeria and beyond, the different chieftaincy titles he was found worthy to be bestowed upon across the four corners of Nigeria, particularly the Northern region.”
The former governor, who is said to be reaching out to political associates, friends and leaders of the APC, has promised to bring to bear his political and business acumen in the National Assembly if he is given the opportunity to serve as Deputy Senate President.
Even though he is yet to be sworn in as a Senator, the Deputy Senate President hopeful had in different fora, reiterated that Nigerians will benefit a lot locally and internationally from his representation at the National Assembly.
