Presidency 2023: Kalu reveals 9 APC presidential aspirants agree to step down for Sen. President Lawan

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State, on Monday revealed that nine presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections, have agreed to step down for the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, at the national convention of the party.

Kalu, speaking on Channels Television on Monday, disclosed that he has interacted with the aspirants, negotiated with them to step down for Lawan, stating that they behave agreed. He added that he is making arrangements for the aspirants to meet the senate president for face-to-face negotiations.

Kalu had declared: “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 Senate Chief Whip expressed optimism that the presidential aspirants are ready to quit the contest for the APC ticket, step down for Lawan, and mobilise all their delegates to support the senate president at the primaries.

Kalu, however, opposed the idea of refunding the N100 million fee for the purchase of the APC presidential nominations forms to the presidential aspirants willing to step down for Lawan.

He declared: “I made that one clear to them, nobody is returning any money to anyone.”

Kalu had earlier opted out of the presidential race, endorsing Lawan for the APC presidential ticket. He emphasized that he has no intention to negotiate for vice president, stating that he has already bought forms for the senate. “… I have already purchased my Senate form, I am very happy being in the Senate,” he said.

The Senate Chief Whip also extolled the leadership virtues of Senate President Lawan. According to Kalu, “I have known him since 41-years-ago, we were roommates at the university, he is strong enough to give the Nigerian people what they are looking for.”