The Progressive Youth Group has endorsed former Abia Governor Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s aspiration to emerge as Senate president in the 10th National Assembly.
It said his emergence will balance the shift of power and ethnic considerations.
In a communique after a stakeholder’s meeting in Abuja, the convener of the group, Mr. Idris Jibril, maintained that there is a need for the youths to really play an active, deliberate and strategic role in shaping what happens after the presidential election.
According to him: “In view of the rhetoric around the candidacy of the APC president-elect and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, there is a need to balance the shift of power across ethnic and religious lines. Being from the South-East extraction, the emergence of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu will douse the tension in the region.
“The country is already stretched across ethnic and religious lines. There are need for us to look at our structure as a country and then chart a course that will intimate every ethnic group into the one Nigeria slogan.”
Idris further explained Orji’s experience as Abia Governor for eight years, his experience in the private sector and legislative experiences over the last four years have put him in a prime position to emerge.
“In terms of capacity and track record, he stands out better than others. Even while the All-Progressive Congress (APC) lost the presidential election in his state, Sen Orji overwhelmingly won his senatorial district seat.
”That shows acceptability. So instead of agitating, he will be able to bring agitators from the Southeast to the table to discuss nation building.” he said.
