Orji Kalu, Senate Chief Whip, has declared his intention to run for Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.
Kalu, who was re-elected to represent Abia North in the Red Chamber, made the announcement Tuesday during a press conference at the National Assembly.
The ruling All Progressives Congress retained its Senate majority, with 57 seats.
Senators from the APC seeking the Senate presidency have been lobbying their colleagues for their support.
Aside from Kalu, who has publicly declared his interest in the position, Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Sani Musa (Niger); Barau Jibrin (Kano); and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) are also said to be interested.
The final candidates for the position will be determined largely by zoning.
Nonetheless, the APC leadership said it has not zoned the Senate presidency.
Some pundits believe that it is likely that APC might zone the post to the South for power balance, especially after its Muslim-Muslim ticket triggered outrage from some quarters, especially the Christian community.
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.”
