A pressure group, the Justice and Equity Forum (JEF), has appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Senators-elect to consider Dr Orji Uzor-Kalu as the deputy senate president in the Ninth assembly.
It also appealed to stakeholders in the senate to ensure zoning of the principal offices among the six geo-political zones in a manner that would reflect balance, equity and justice.
In a statement in Lagos on Thursday, JEF National Coordinator, Mr Ikenna Ahumibe, said that among others, the position of the deputy senate president should be zoned to the South-East.
He said that zoning it to the Southeast would further entrench national integration, peace and unity.
“It is equally incumbent on the leadership of the party to consider former governor of Abia and senator-elect of the APC for Abia north, Uzor- Kalu as deputy senate president in the 9thNASS.
“As a hardcore party member and Buhari loyalist, with vast experience as a successful businessman and political player, Kalu is well positioned for the coveted seat.
“We believe that making Uzor Kalu the Deputy Senate President will not be out of place.
“Since his entry into the APC, Uzor Kalu has devoted his energy and resources towards promoting the party’s political interests and agenda.
“Becoming the deputy senate president will further provide him the
platform to achieve more, especially in terms of making APC rooted in
the South East geopolitical zone of the country.
“Apart from his unassuming commitment to the reintegration of the southeast into Nigeria’s mainstream politics through the APC, Uzor-Kalu has
equally proven himself as an outstanding detribalised Nigerian leader.
“This, he has demonstrated in his socio-political and business dealings, including receiving chieftaincy titles from many tribes across the
country.
“Master strategist Uzor Kalu is one of most generous Igbo man living. He is man who makes and keeps friendship, in all parts of Nigeria and beyond.
“The outspoken former Abia governor should, going by his kind of person
and disposition for the Igbo interest, be the new face of Southeastern-Nigeria senate leadership bloc given his pedigree as a goal-getter.
“With his experience, connection and capacity, Kalu has many more to give Nigeria as the second in command at the senate.
“The fact that he contested for president in 2007 and came third, behind
ex-President Umar Yar’Adua and President Buhari, shows his wider
acceptance and appeal as a political leader of Igbo origin.
“He is the best man for the deputy senate president. We strongly believe that if elected, Kalu will ensure that all Nigerians, irrespective of where
they come from partake in the envisaged change the country desires,” he said.
The group, therefore, appealed to the leadership of the party to do the
needful by endorsing Uzor-Kalu as the next deputy senate president.
