Like Tinubu, Orji Kalu Says It Is His Time To Be Senate President; APC Fears A Repeat Of Saraki-Like Crisis

By Akinwale Kasali

Orji Uzor Kalu, Chief Whip of the Senate, who recently won his re-election into the 10th Senate has followed the footprints of President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, by declaring that it is turn to become the Senate President.

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.

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 line for more than 20 years ago. 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.”

But the APC is jittery not to have a repeat of the Bukola Saraki crisis that led to the polarization of the Party leading to the emergence of Saraki as Senate President courtesy of support from the opposition Party, Peoples Democratic, Party, PDP.

APC won 57 seats while the major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party garnered 29 seats.

Others include the All Progressives Grand Alliance, one; Labour Party seven, New Nigeria Peoples Party, two; Social Democratic Party, two and Young Progressive Party with one seat.

Having won the majority of the seats, according to Parliamentary tradition, rules, and convention, the APC is expected to form the majority caucus and produce the presiding officers.

The party with the dominant members would also constitute the majority leadership, while the PDP which is the party with the second highest number of lawmakers in the chamber would produce the minority principal officers.

However, Some of the APC lawmakers who have openly declared intentions for the Senate Presidency are:  the third-term ranking senator representing Kano North, Jibrin Barau; the former governor of Abia state and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu; and the Senator representing, Borno south, Ali Ndume.

Others who are said to be in the race include Senator, Sani Musa( Niger-East), former Akwa-Ibom g

Governor, Godswill Akpabio, former Edo Governor, Adams Oshiomole (Edo North) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi South).