The Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representing the good people of Abia North Senatorial District, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, has insisted on contesting for the position of Senate President when the 10th National Assembly is inaugurated on June 13th, stating that he cannot step down for anybody.


Speaking in an interview with journalists at the National Assembly, as reported by Thisday Newspaper, Senator Kalu disclosed that talks are at an advanced stage between him and former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, to contest the 10th Senate Presidency on a joint ticket.


The former governor of Abia State explained that Yari and himself were enjoying the support of their colleagues and other sponsors within and outside the Senate Chamber to make their ambition a reality.


He said: “I cannot step down for anybody. I am contesting the Senate Presidency but we are talking with Senator-elect, Abdulaziz Yari, on the possibility of a joint ticket and talks have reached an advanced stage on the issue.


“Our group and his group are talking and we are in intimate partnership and talks are ongoing. No zone can single-handedly produce a Senate President just as no single zone can single-handedly produce the President of Nigeria.


“We have a united partnership with Senator-elect Yari that will work for Nigeria.


“In the coming days and weeks, that partnership will be unveiled. We have not decided on who will be Senate President and who will be deputy.”