Senate presidency: Kalu withdraws from race, endorses Lawan

Orji Kalu, senator-elect of Abia North has withdrawn from the presidential race of the incoming 9th Senate.

Mr Kalu had threatened to vie for Senate President if his party, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) fails to zone the deputy Senate President to the South East where he hails from.

The APC was later reported to have handed the position to the South South region where Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the party hails from.

However, while playing host to Ahmed Lawan, the preferred candidate of the ruling party at his Abuja home, the former Abia State governor said he has chosen to endorse the candidature of the current Senate leader.

“Today, I endorsed Senator Ahmed Lawan at my Abuja residence,” Kalu said in a tweet on Sunday.

“Aside us being former class/room mates for a over a year at the University of Maiduguri, I also believe our party’s decision will ensure a smooth cohesion between the 9th NASS & the Executive for the best of Nigerians,” he added.

The ambition of Lawan to succeed Bukola Saraki, outgoing Senate President, is still been threatened as members of his party are not backing down from clinching the position, despite being warned of expulsion by the party.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also warning up to thwart the wish of the APC does not manifest at the both chambers of the National Assembly.