By Lawal Adenike
A former Abia State governor and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has indicated his readiness to contest the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) should the ruling party zone it to the South.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, Kalu boasted that he has what it takes to match the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu grit for grit to clinch the ticket.
Recall the former Lagos governor, after months of speculations over his ambition, on Monday, declared that he is running for president in 2023 after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa.
Speaking on the development, Kalu maintained that while he has nothing against Tinubu’s ambition. The former Abia governor, however, stated that he believes that the South-East is ready for the presidency, arguing that it is the region’s turn to produce the next president.
Amid ongoing political permutations ahead of the 2023 polls, the presidential campaign posters of Kalu have also been spotted across major cities in the country.
Reacting to this, Kalu commended the groups supporting him, saying he is yet to make up his mind to throw his hat in the ring.
“I want to continue to thank people who are putting up my posters all over Nigeria. I have not made up my mind whether to vie for president or not. But if opportunity is given to the South-East, I will think again to see if there is room because the party has not said where they are zoning the president to.
“But I know the party will bring a president who will work for the unity of the country which is more important,” he said.
