The South West Forum for National Development (SFND), a sociopolitical organisation, has urged all senators-elect to support Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s bid to succeed former Abia State governor as the next Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.
Kalu is the most qualified candidate, according to the group, which made this claim in a statement jointly signed by its National President, Otunba Oladokun Charles Aridunu-Omo, and National Secretary, Hon. Soji Ikotun, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and made available to a DAILY POST correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday.
In addition to being a ranking senator and a key official in the Red Chamber, it was noted that Kalu, the current Senate Chief Whip, is best equipped for the task at hand. It was also stated that “it is public knowledge that Kalu has been a pan-Nigerian who has the interest of the South East and all Nigerians at heart.”
“His (Kalu’s) presence will quell protests by South Easterners who feel left out by the APC.
“Senator Orji (Kalu) is seasoned compared to lawmakers from other geopolitical zones, and he has forged connections all around the nation.
“We are certain that, if elected, Orji’s status as Senate President would also go a long way to assuage any reservations about the South West and the North East emerging as the country’s next president and vice president.
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We also believe that Senator Orji is superior to all other candidates in this election because of the patriotism and dedication to the All Progressives Congress, APC, he has shown over the years. According to the statement, “We are reassuring our party leadership that Orji’s appointment as head of the National Assembly would foster goodwill and understanding between the legislative and executive branches of government.
The group also emphasised Kalu’s command of Senate procedures and rules, emphasising that his election as the next Senate President would ensure that no region of the nation is left behind. The group also stated that Kalu’s election “will also arrest insinuation that our President-elect is not a lover of all Christians in the country and that will balance the Muslim-Muslim-Muslim ticket crises in the party.”
The organisation claims that the best way to ease the worries of Christians and South Easterners is for the governing APC to support the Senate Chief Whip in becoming the next Senate President.
