Nigerians in diaspora rooting for South-East Senate Presidency — APC chieftain

As jostle for the seat of the Nigerian Senate President hots up, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr Michael Akintomide Ajilo, has hinted that majority of Nigerians based abroad are in support of a South-Easterner to occupy the country’s number three position.

He stated that:”For Nigerians in diaspora, even as we are not around, we have solid interests back home, and whatever happens in our home country surely affects us. This brings us to the question of peace at home. Peace in our home country is peace for us wherever we are domiciled. 

“In light of this, we urge the president-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stand by his words of assurance on inclusiveness by supporting a South-Eastern Presidency. By virtue of what has transpired during the electioneering, it behoves on party leadership that South-East produces the next Senate President.

“Now that a new President has emerged from the South-West part of the country and Vice-President from the North-East, it is politically in order that the Senate President is produced from the South-East.”

Ajilo, further noted that:”There is nothing that will portray inclusiveness if the South-East is marginalised. What does the party want to reward valiant supporters of the party with despite having to go against a popular son of theirs on the ballot if the Senate Presidency is taken from them?. 

“The South-East, as a region, has qualified people for the post of Senate President. One of which is Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a business mogul who has carved a niche for himself before delving into politics, employer of thousands of Nigerians, two-term governor of Abia State, an astute lawmaker with wealth of legislative experience, currently serving as Senator and Chief Whip of the Senate and finally, a prominent member of the All Progressive Congress.

“I will implore our leader and President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to consider the credentials of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, by lending his support to him. The business of the Senate is a serious one as we expect him to hit the ground running as the expectation of Nigerians is at its highest.”