Just in: Kalu withdraws from Speakership race

A frontline Speakership candidate for House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has officially withdrawn from the race. 

Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency Abia State, in a statement by his Media aide, extended his gratitude to all who supported him while he vied for the Speakership of the 10th Assembly.

The announcement came barely 24 hours after the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) announced its zoning formula for key positions in the incoming 10^th National Assembly NASS.

He, however, declared his intention to run for the Office of Deputy Speaker – the position zoned to his South East geographical zone.

He explained that he believed the Speakership position was ideal for the Southeast region, as it has not produced a Speaker in the last 40 years, still, he is a firm believer in the precept of party supremacy, he had no choice than to withdraw his candidacy for that position. 

Kalu’s statement reads in part: “I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all who have tirelessly supported my candidacy for the Speakership position of the 10th Assembly. 

“I believed this position was ideal for the Southeast region, as it has not produced a Speaker in the last 40 years.

”However, as a firm believer in Party supremacy, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for the Speakership Position and fully accept the nomination for the position of Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly in line with the directives of our Party the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

“This decision aligns with the Party’s commitment to fairness, equity, and inclusiveness in all of its leadership selection processes”

He expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the APC, for nominating him for the position of Deputy Speaker stating that it was his intention to honour such a nomination with robust legislative support and a diligent commitment to advance the party’s agenda and nation-building objectives in the 10th Assembly. 

Similarly, he thanked party stakeholders in the Southeast for their efforts to ensure that the region was not entirely left out in the leadership of the 10th Assembly, urging all his supporters across the nation to accept the decision of the party.