The doctrine of Emi l’okan (it’s my turn) has reverberated in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, as Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared his intention to contest for Senate Presidency in the 10th National Assembly, saying ‘Mma ka oru ru’ (Emi l’okan) .
Sen. Kalu, who won re-election to represent Abia North in the Red Chamber, disclosed this, on Tuesday, while briefing newsmen at the National Assembly.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) maintained a majority in the Senate, having secured 57 seats.
APC senators eyeing the Senate Presidency have been lobbying their colleagues to seek their support.
Aside from Sen. Kalu, who has publicly declared interest in the position were Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Sani Musa (Niger); Barau Jibrin (Kano) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi).
It is believed that the final candidates for the position would largely be determined by zoning.
However, the APC leadership said it has not zoned the Senate Presidency.
Some pundits believe that it was 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.
Sen. Kalu told reporters that it was his turn to become Senate President, being a ranking lawmaker and from the South East region.
Said he, “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.”
