Deputy Senate President: Kalu, Alimekhena, Gaya lose out as APC endorses Omo-Agege

Ahead of Tuesday’s election that will lead to the emergence of principal officers of the 9th National Assembly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee has endorsed senator representing Delta Central, Ovie Omo-Agege as its anointed choice for the position of Deputy Senate President.

A statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu disclosed that APC took the decision to support Senator Omo-Agege and Honourable Idris Wase for deputy senate president and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, respectively at the end of its meeting held over the weekend, “sequel to wide consultations with President Muhammadu Buhari, party stakeholders, including APC governors.”

The statement further added that “all elected APC members of the Senate and House of Representatives are hereby directed to fully mobilise as a united force behind the party’s choice.

“Members who have earlier signified interests in these positions are urged to support the party’s decisions as loyal and committed members of APC by working with other members to ensure the emergence of the adopted candidates.”

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With this development, former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Edo North, Francis Alimikhena may have lost out in the race for the office.

Also left in the lurch is former Kano State governor and senator, representing Kano South Senatorial District, Senator Kabiru Gaya.

Honourable Wase from Benue State is from the same North central region as Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila’s main rival, Honourable Mohammed Bago who is from Niger state.

Senator Gaya last week signified interest in the office when he told journalists that the Northwest that gave the highest number of votes to President Muhammadu Buhari in the last general elections should not be shortchanged in the distribution of plum positions in the National Assembly.