Speakership Aspirant, Kalu Withdraws From Race After APC’s Declares Consensus Candidates

The lawmaker representing Bende federal constituency in Abia State, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has officially withdrawn from the race of becoming the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

This comes a day after the ruling All Progressive Congress officially announced its zoning formula for the 10th National Assembly.

Kalu, in accordance to the zoning arrangements, declared his intention to run for the Office of Deputy Speaker.

In a statement by his media aide, he said: “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).”

The Nigerian Voice earlier reported that APC has endorsed Godswill Akpabio as Senate President and Jibrin Barau as the Deputy.

Abbas Tajudeen has also been endorsed as House of Representatives Speaker and Ben Kalu as his Deputy.