The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed readiness to become a sweeper in the presidential villa, if Ahmad Lawan becomes the president in 2023.
Orji Kalu Wants Ahmad Lawan To Be President
KanyiDaily recalls that Kalu had withdrawn from the race and declared his support to Lawan for the presidential ticket on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Kalu re-echoed his support for Lawan’s presidential ambition, noting that he is ready to be a “sweeper” at the Aso Rock if the dream becomes a reality.
He said, “With Ahmad Lawan, I am ready to be the sweeper of the place (referring to Aso Rock). I don’t need to have a position if Ahmad Lawan is president. That is true. I can sweep the villa. My house is very close to the villa. I can be the sweeper of the villa.”
The former Abia State governor said Lawan’s presidential ambition is gathering steam with some candidates ready to step down for the Senate President.
“I want to tell you, I have spoken to nine candidates running for president, and they are ready, already discussing to step down for Ahmed Lawan,” the lawmaker added.
Kalu, who said Nigeria needs strong leadership, believes that Lawan is the one that can give the country such.
He said, “I have known him 41 years ago. We were roommates at the university. He is strong enough to give the Nigerian people what they are looking for.”
As far as he is concerned the Senate President played a vital role in stabilizing the Nigerian parliament. He said several bills have been passed by the lawmakers under Lawan’s leadership, a development Kalu said will be replicated at the Presidential level if Lawan wins.
While defending his decision to step down from his presidential race, he reiterated that the position ought to be zoned to the South East.
“We have supported South West. We supported President Obasanjo, we supported Vice President Osinbajo, we supported Vice President Jonathan for five years and we supported President Jonathan for six years. Why can’t they support us?.
“Any southerner that is not from South East and is coming to run for president is a betrayer. They are the ones betraying us,” Kalu said.
KanyiDaily recalls that a group called the ‘National Stability Project’ purchased the N100 million APC presidential forms and presented them to Ahmad Lawan.