Kalu announces Senate President candidacy despite APC’s endorsement of Akpabio

Orji Uzor Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate, has expressed his desire to serve as the next Senate President, promising to lead with sincerity and work towards the good governance of Nigerians.

In a letter addressed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership and 108 senators-elect on Monday, Kalu outlined his vision for the 10th Senate, stating that he possessed the necessary qualities to make it successful.

“It is with a deep sense of joy and humility that I bring you warm greetings and that of the Abia North senatorial zone.

“My emergence as the senator to represent Abia North in this critical time in the history of our dear nation comes with huge responsibilities, top of which is to make quality laws for the good governance of our people,” Kalu said in the letter.

Kalu acknowledged that leading a sophisticated Senate at the 10th session will require leaders with shared vision, consensus-building skills, charisma, credibility, and pragmatism.

“Leadership of a sophisticated Senate at the 10th session will need men and women with abundance of shared vision, consensus building, charisma, credibility, and pragmatism in the saddle.

“This is why I most humbly write to officially inform you of my interest to be elected the next Senate President.

“The biggest asset I bring to the table is wisdom and experience garnered over the years in the management of human and material resources.

“I promise to work for you, promote and defend the constitution and the party, and foster a congenial and cordial relationship between the party, the executive and judiciary,” he added.

Kalu also expressed confidence that with unity and mutual love and respect, Nigeria can be taken to the next level of peace, progress, and development.

“One thing is indubitably certain: working together in unity and mutual love and respect, we can take Nigeria to the next level of peace, progress, and development,” he said.

Kalu’s letter came after the APC nominated Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs, for Senate President and Barau Jibrin, senator representing Kano North, as Deputy Senate President. However, Kalu remains optimistic about his chances.

“To be able to achieve these enviable goals, we require good leaders who will pilot the affairs of the 10th Senate.

“I make this offer to serve you and the Nigerian people with sincerity of heart, humility, and candor,” he said.