With the election of Àsíwàjú Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President-elect of Nigeria, awaiting his formal inauguration on May 29, 2023, attention is gradually shifting and focused on the leadership of the impending 10th National Assembly, and no doubt, it is a crucial political exercise that requires every deserving attention, commitment and drive by relevant stakeholders in the Nigerian project. Particularly, the race for the Senate Presidency is gathering steam as Senators from various geo-political zones have thrown their hats in the ring to emerge as the number three citizen of the country. Though the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to zone the office, both old and new lawmakers are already jostling for the position. And among the formidable prospects for the coveted position of Senate Presidency, today is Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, popularly called OUK, Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, and Chief Whip of the Senate.
In determining who becomes the Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, the Senate Rule allows only a ranking senator to be selected for this purpose and according to the Standing Orders, “Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers and appointments of Principal Officers and other Officers of the Senate or on any Parliamentary delegations shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators. In determining ranking, the following order shall apply — Senators returning based on number of times re- elected; Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives.”
Senator Orji Kalu is a ranking Senator (one-time Member of the House of Representatives, and two-time in the Senate) and also a two-time Governor. Relationships built by Senator Kalu across religious and ethnic lines and outside Nigeria over the years would serve him and the nation well if he is given the chance to occupy the office of Senate President. And without much ado, the leadership of the Senate plays a critical role by understanding the need for a harmonious working relationship with the Executive. Such understanding is not assigned to legislative fledgling or the inexperienced but to a personality of immense experience and exposure in national governance like OUK. The position of the Senate President should be zoned to Kalu’s South-East in order to ensure ethnic balancing, inclusiveness, and to address the manifest marginalisation of the zone. Besides the need to maintain the balance of political power, and ensure a sense of inclusion among the ethnic groups in the Country, the choice of Senator Kalu would seem a perfect fit for many reasons, even as he shares/imbibes the mind, aspirations, vision, intents, goals, struggles, hope, aspirations, and desires of the Nation’s President-elect, and invariably, possesses distinct qualities that resonate with that of the President-elect himself. The position of Senate leadership requires a personality with demonstrable political sagacity, capable of navigating the rough waters of Nigerian socio-political and cultural diversities. There aren’t many politicians and public office holders with the pedigree and vast array of accomplishments of Senator Orji Kalu in this regard. The position of the 10th Senate President requires a politician with considerable experience in governance and lawmaking. All of these qualities he possesses in spades along with the fundamental tools to prosper in the role.
Also, the South-East has been in a state of oscillation, tension, and despondency sharing in the Country, and their concerns need to be urgently addressed by someone from the region who understands them, to enhance democratic expansion, particularly, the progressive governance that Tinubu’s presidency stands for. The incoming administration of Tinubu, against the need to correct the perceived anomalies in the marginalisation of ethnic entities in the polity, it is apt to streamline the power-zoning of the critical positions of the ruling party to address injustice, unfairness and inequality. And in consideration of this proposition, the South East deserves the slot of the Senate President as a compensation balancing trophy.
The APC as a party is built on the pillars of “equity and justice.” Now, we have the President-elect, Bola Tinubu from the South. The Vice President-elect, Kassim Shettima from the North. So, it is only fair and wise that the APC leadership supports a Senate Presidency candidate from the East for the sake of equity and justice. Furthermore, with a Muslim/Muslim ticket of the APC, it is common sense that a Muslim senator should not vie for the Senate Presidency. Also, after the eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, the North-West should not get the Senate Presidency. It is common sense that they should not. In a country sharply divided by ethnic and religious lines, these factors must play a significant role in the leadership positions of the National Assembly. Indeed, it is common sense to have an ethnic, regional, and religious balance in the top political offices in a deeply fractured country like Nigeria.
For the first time since 1999, Nigeria has a thoroughbred politician as president. Though he is yet to announce his choice for both Senate and House of Representatives, but it is expected that the President-elect, who has been a governor, senator, and kingmaker, will be very much interested in who becomes the Senate President to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2015. The case of Bukola Saraki in the 8th senate will still be fresh in his mind. In 2015, the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to take a stand timely on who to choose led to the emergence of Saraki and the frosty relationship between the Executive and Legislature. Tinubu, who is believed to be a good strategist, may not make such mistakes.
To avoid such a mistake, the president-elect and the APC have one option here – go for national unity. Naturally, in my opinion, for the sake of national unity and integration, the South-East should produce the Senate President. According to Tinubu, the days of political gamesmanship are over and it is time for “national healing.” Tinubu should match his words with actions. The South-East should get the Senate Presidency.
Tinubu is a visionary leader of a great leadership mind, one with a deep-rooted passion for a progressive, prosperous and united Nation, and it follows that whoever must drive the leadership of the National Assembly should key into such belief. The visionary’s quest readily throws up Senator Kalu as the most qualified, among other prospective contenders for the coveted seat. Also, being a ranking Senator from the South-East, and having served as a two-term Governor of Abia State from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007 (the same periods that the president-elect served at the state level) gives him added advantage to appreciate the dynamism involved in leading a vibrant and complimentary National Assembly.
On problems solving, Kalu is a seasoned private sector guru, it is equally important to take into account his successful first term as Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, which earned him the respect of his peers, most notably the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, who considered him “the most influential Chief Whip in the history of the Nigerian Senate”. Hence, Senator Kalu is the most qualified and best possible choice. Kalu’s achievements in public office over the years speak volumes and his unwavering commitment to good governance and a better Nigeria is irrefutable. These are attributes that would ensure his success in office as Senate President.
Besides, Kalu has always worked for his party. The reward for good work, they say, is more work. He did well as Chief Whip and deserves to the promoted. For instance, Kalu placed full page advertisements in some national dailies to canvass votes for some APC governors seeking re-election. The APC apparently lost the presidential election in Christian dominated areas because of its Muslim-Muslim ticket. The race for Senate Presidency presents another opportunity for the APC to win the confidence of the Christians and the South-Easterners by making their son, Orji Kalu the Senate President so as to calm their nerves. Kalu stood firm to defend the party’s honour at a time it was not politically fashionable. OUK has been upholding the APC flag against all odds in the East.
One is confident that Tinubu would run an inclusive government by bringing on board political gladiators, who are members of the APC, from the South-East. Luckily, the President-elect knows no Southeasterner has been president since 1999, we believe he(Tinubu) would gladly welcome the idea of a South-Easterner becoming the number three citizen.
It will be entirely against the spirit of equity, justice and fairplay if the APC failed to settle the South-East with the number three position —that is the Senate Presidency. Senator Kalu is a ranking Senator and highly qualified, as he is going to be a third termer in the National Assembly; one term in the House of Representatives and two terms in Senate. Senator Kalu is capable of handling the number three seat of the country’s leadership, based on his experience in the National Assembly. He has the advantage of legislative experience having served as Chief Whip in 9th Senate. With Kalu, our quest for a vibrant, experienced and competent-led legislature — considering the issues facing the country — will be met. Besides the need for making laws that would help shape the country’s democratic growth, the 10th National Assembly – considering that the federal legislature is the heart of financial approvals – will be coming at a time Nigeria faces enormous debt burden. This is where Senator Kalu comes in. OUK is an economic person, an entrepreneur and very much needed at this to head the making of economic laws needed to pull Nigeria back from further doldrum. OUK possess the high character, competence, capacity, and conviction.
Forget political settlement. What should be of utmost importance is experience, ranking and ability to guide the legislature in a way that will be beneficial to the country. Luckily, Senator Kalu by his track records, will do well in cementing the National Assembly. Such years of experience, deep knowledge of the legislature and sagacity cannot be thrown away on the altar of political settlement as the legislature strives to have the best in the next dispensation to ensure that all arms of government are working for the common good of the country. We must enthrone a Senator Kalu led National Assembly (Senate) that will pursue diligently the creeds of justice, fairness, equity and progress among different ethnic nationalities and religions.
Again, the performance, vibrancy, intelligence and political sagacity of Senator Orji Kalu cannot be overemphasised. He is a detribalized Nigerian, in-built with the needed experience and leadership qualities to take the Senate to greater heights, and, indeed, give Nigerians the kind of leadership we deserve.
OUK has made giant strides in the legislative practice to affirm his first-among-equal status for the position. During his first Senatorial term which began on June 11, 2019, he remarkably sponsored 51 bills and 28 motions, making him The highest-rated among lawmakers from Abia State, and one of the best performing and most highly regarded Senators in the country. He has ensured the democratic dividends in his senatorial district by way of infrastructural development. Senator Kalu’s immense contribution to the infrastructural development of his Abia North during his first four years in office, cannot be invalidated. He has undertaken several projects in that region such as the construction of roads, and the renovation of schools and hospitals. Other projects include the installation of street lights, sinking boreholes, supply of equipment to local farmers, and processing machines for local farm produce. The distinguished Senator continues to empower people in his constituency, particularly the youth and remains committed to more developmental projects in his second term.
Leadership comes with its concomitant price of being courageous, bold, and reliable at the critical time of reckoning. For Senator Orji Kalu, these qualities are most obvious through his unwavering support for Tinubu’s campaign immediately the APC declared the ex-Lagos governor the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections. Senator Kalu has been the most prominent and consistent voice of support for Tinubu, especially in the South East. In such acts, he continues to support the winning paradigm of the progressive governance of Tinubu even in the face of public scrutiny, ridicule, and backlash from the media, and opposition from rival parties as well as within his party. Rather than buckle under immense pressure, he remained brave and steadfast in backing the President-elect. It is pay-back time in terms of Tinubu’s machinery’s support for Kalu’s ambition.
Senator Orji Kalu is known for his detribalized mindset. His name has a high degree of National appeal from all geopolitical zones, and he has repeatedly displayed a willingness to work with all Nigerians. And being the nationalist, he would also prove most beneficial in stabilizing and unifying all Senators regardless of their respective ethnic backgrounds, states/regions of origin, and party differences.
Kalu is the chairman of SLOK Holding, a successful business endeavour. Pragmatism and resourcefulness qualities are among his greatest strengths. He is a man with the midas touch, a captain of industry who has investments in many areas including the media – he owns the Sun and the New Telegraph newspapers. I dare say that, a tested and trusted vessel like Senator Kalu fits the bill for a presumably marginalized geographic zone of our vibrant compatriots from the eastern front. Similarly, his experience in the private sector will help sustain a workable national development plan for Nigeria. OUK will exceed expectations and perform credibly exceptionally as Senate President of the 10th Assembly. He is still a seasoned, high-ranking Senator from the South Eastern geopolitical zone who has maintained an admirable and unwavering relationship with other Senators from other geopolitical zones of the country over the years.
OUK exemplifies the maturity, leadership, and unifying qualities that are expected of a Senate President. His unrivalled landmark accomplishments in the National Assembly include sponsoring more than 50 bills and moving motions that brought the nation together. In addition, the youth agitations and unrest caused by the perceived exclusion of the South East Zone from political positions will all be put to rest if he becomes Senate President. As President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, OUK will work with the Executive to bring the dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people and keep Nigeria in peace and unity for greater prosperity.
Without a doubt, Senator Orji Kalu will join every single Nigerian legislator and bring out his abundance of regulative experience and mastery to benefit greatly the general interest of Nigerians.
Nigeria at this critical time needs a cerebral personality who can play the balancing act in a delicate political environment like ours; a personality with patriotic zeal for unifying the diverse nation; a team player who gets tasks achieved with minimal delay, and an experienced legislative player who is never a neophyte. OUK will not stop or be weary to pull out all stops for the incoming Tinubu’s presidency. All these attributes are found in Senator Kalu, a ready-made tool needed to deepen democratic experimentation as Senate President for the convocation of the 10th National Assembly. For certainty, Senator Kalu is trustworthy, amendable, dependable, reliable, and doctrinaire not to rock the boat of leadership for the Tinubu/Shettima Administration.
Senator Kalu has passionately fought for the causes of the people of his Abia North constituency and the vast majority of vulnerable Nigerians. He has sponsored and lent voice to a variety of bills which have been signed into law. In an era of change where prudence and probity are the rule of engagement, Kalu is providing pragmatic principles of leadership as the Senate Chief Whip, using his skills and talents in forging consensus and reaching compromises without sacrificing his core values. His legislative interests chiefly cover banking, insurance and other financial institutions, agriculture, education and power. The committees in which Senator Kalu has served include Oil and Gas, Local and Foreign Debts, States and Local Governments, Upstream Petroleum Resources and Works, among others. He never missed plenary and is one of the Nigerian senate leading lights. A recipient of several professional and meritorious awards, including being the most Distinguished Senator of the year 2023 conferred on him by the prestigious Arewa Youth Advocacy for Excellence, Senator Kalu has an enviable array of direct impact projects to the people. These include healthcare centre, boreholes, electrical infrastructure, tube wells and irrigation pumps. Having won his re-election and as a ranking member of the 9th National Assembly as Senate Chief Whip, the SLOK’ boss has thrown his hat in the ring to contest for the office of the Senate Presidency on the basis of equity and fairness to the eastern part of the country to create a balance in the power structure. Let us, therefore, support Kalu, a square peg in a square hole, to make this become a reality come June.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr Silva Opusunju is a good governance and pro-democracy advocate, a pan-Nigerian, and developmental legal practitioner.
He can be reached via silvaopusun@yahoo.com
