Orji Uzor Kalu withdraws from deputy senate presidency race

Abia North Senator-elect, Orji Kalu, has on Tuesday, dropped his ambition to contest for the position of the Deputy Senate President.

Kalu, in a statement by his media office, withdrew from the race before endorsing Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the chosen candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

“I decided to throw my hat into the ring to contest for the position of Deputy Senate President after wide consultations with stakeholders especially my political associates, friends and colleagues. However, I use this medium to announce my withdrawal from the race in the interest of the APC and Nigeria at large,” the statement said.

“I contested and won election as a Senator on the platform of the APC and as such, I cannot go against the decision of my party.”

Kalu’s decision comes after he had insisted that he would not step down for any candidate.

After stepping down, the former Abia State governor said he was optimistic the South East will be considered for other principal positions in the Senate and House of Representatives for the sake of national unity. He restated his commitment to the APC and expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his fatherly role in the affairs of the party.

Orji Uzor Kalu contested in the 2019 general election to represent the people of Abia North in the senate, under the banner of the APC.

He defeated the incumbent Senator Mao Ohuabunwa with over 10,000 votes.