Uneasy calm returned to the South East caucus in the National Assembly as fresh fact emerged on how the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) may have ruled out the zone in its search for a new Deputy Senate president for lack of credible alternative for the job.
The ruling party have instead tipped the South South to produce the next deputy senate president after the party discovered that the only senator elect from the south East may not be good enough to sail through in the event the party decides to consider the zone for the job.
The last-minute decision to deny the south East may not be unconnected with report that the only APC senator elect from the south East Dr Orji Uzor- kalu still have alleged N 7.6 billion EFCC fraud case hanging on him. Former governor of Abia state who is the only APC elect for now from South East is still standing trial over N7.6 billion corruption charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). Source alleged that president Mohammadu Buhari only wants people without corruption case for the leadership position at the national assembly.
Orji Kalu had repeatedly asked the party to consider him for the job of deputy senate president as the only APC senator elect from the south East so far issued with certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Source alleged that the ruling party may have for now ruled out the south East for lack of a credible candidate for the position of deputy senate president.
Chairman of the south East senator Enyinnaya Abariba was reported to have said ‘all principal office positions in the Senate is for grab by any senator irrespective of our party affiliation ”
Sources also alleged that the party may have decided to zone the position to south south.
Meanwhile a coalition of Ohanaeze chieftains and human right lawyers in Abuja have described the development as unfortunate .
But remember, the former Abia State governor has consistently maintained his innocence concerning the corruption allegations.
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