Senate presidency: 'I can't say no if Tinubu gives it to me' – Orji Kalu

Senator Orji Kalu has said he would accept the position of Senate President if offered by President Bola Tinubu but would not lobby for the position.

Kalu, however, said his immediate ambition was to remain in the Senate, make laws and groom younger politicians to take over leadership responsibilities.

The former Abia State governor made this known on Monday while fielding questions on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.

“For me, I want to do what I’m doing. The first priority is God. The second priority is the leadership of our party. The leader of the party is President Tinubu. And thirdly, I have no ambition. If anything is given to me, I will take,” he said.

The senator also expressed his desire to groom younger politicians to succeed the current generation of political leaders.

“Let me be honest with you. If you allow me in the near future, I will groom younger people to take over from us. I’ve always said that we must not sit in one place. You can be president any time if God says yes; you can be anything, anytime,” he added.

Speaking specifically about the Senate presidency, Kalu said he was comfortable with his current position and had no intention of lobbying Tinubu for the office.

He, however, maintained that he would not reject the position if the president offered it to him.

“If I’m given Senate presidency in my house, I would take it. I’m not going to ask anybody for it. I’m very comfortable with what I do.

“I can’t say no if he (Tinubu) is the one giving me. Yeah, I would take the gift. But I won’t ask him for it. I have never asked him, and I won’t ask him for it,” he said.