Former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu said on Monday about nine 2023 presidential aspirants are currently ready to step down for Senate President Ahmed Lawan.
Kanu, who stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said, “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.”
Kanu, who is the Senate Chief Whip added that he had asked the aspirants to come with him and meet with the Senate President to negotiate face to face.
Though he refused to reveal the identities of the aspirants in question, Kalu swore that the individuals are ready to quit the race for Senator Lawan.
Saying that he could tell what the negotiations and demands of the supposed candidates will be when they meet with Lawan, Kanu said one thing he was sure Lawan will not do is refund each individual the 100 million naira which they paid to obtain their nomination forms.
“I made that one clear to them, nobody is returning any money to anyone, he said.
Asked if he dumped his presidential aspirant so he could become Lawan’s running mate, he said, “No! It is not true, I have already purchased my Senate form, I am very happy being in the Senate.”
Speaking further, he said what Nigeria needed at this point in time is leadership, adding that he has known the Senate President for 41 years now, “we were roommates at the university, he is strong enough to give the Nigerian people what they are looking for.”
He also accused southerners of betraying the South-East, saying: “We (Igbos) 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 6 years, why can’t they support us?”
According to Kalu, since the presidency is not zoned to the South-East in the ruling party, then let the North-East have the mandate.
“Any southerner that is not from South East and is coming to run for president is a betrayer, they are the ones betraying us,” he said.
