The coalition of South-East youth leaders has reaffirmed its support for Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu’s ambition to lead the 10th Senate as president.

This is contained in a statement signed by president-general of the coalition, Mr Goodluck Ibem and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Wednesday.

Mr Ibem described Mr Kalu as a successful businessman and team player who did very well in private business before joining politics and had a track record of never reneging on agreements.

He called on senators-elect of the 10th Senate to support and vote for Mr Kalu to lead the senate as president.

“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu became the South-East consensus candidate for the position of the senate president after an open voting by Igbo youths, which he won in a landslide.

“As representatives of the youths in the South East, we have the mandate of our people to do their wish and bidding.

“We present Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu as the consensus candidate for the position of senate president by the youth of the South-East,” he said.

He, however, said that the coalition’s adoption of Mr Kalu for the position of the senate president was a confirmation of its rejection of the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives purportedly zoned to the South-East.

He added that as Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Mr Kalu did his job dutifully by maintaining discipline and order in the senate which was his assignment in the senate.

“As a ranking senator, experienced lawmaker with great passion for sponsoring bills that will better the lives of Nigerians, a parliamentarian of great repute who never missed any senate sitting, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu is fully prepared and equipped to lead the senate and he will deliver the goods.

“In 2019, Senator Orji contested for Senate President but was asked to wait until 2023, an agreement he accepted while assiduously working for his party, the APC in the South East.

“The APC presently has two governors, seven senators and State House of Assembly members-elect.

“Now is the time to honour the agreement made to Sen Orji Uzor Kalu in 2019 by the APC to make him Senate President in 2023,” he said.

He urged all senators-elect to vote for Mr as senate president and Sen. Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari as deputy senate president for the development and progress of Nigeria.

(NAN)