3rd June, 2022
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu has denied being appointed as the Director General of the Campaign Team of Senate President Ahmad Lawan for the presidential ticket of All Progressives Congress, APC for 2023 election.
Lawan who is also the Chairman of National Assembly, is running for the office of the President.
Kalu, in a statement on his Facebook page said the list of committee Chairmen of Ahmad Lawan Campaign Organization in which he was mentioned as the Director General should be disregarded as there was authorization for its publication.
He also said he could not have been appointed the Director General of Ahmad Lawan Campaign since the Senate President has not emerged as the presidential candidate of APC.
“A committee will be inaugurated to that effect once our most preferred candidate, Senator Ahmad Lawan emerges as the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC),” said the former Abia State Governor.
He added that he he also campaigning for election in his senatorial district and he may not have the time to devote to the campaign of the senate president.
Rather, he said he would rather recommend a sitting Governor who is not running for an election to chair the campaign team at the right time .
He added that names of people who have nothing to do with Ahmad Lawan campaign were also included in the published list which should not have been there.
“Several private visitors who were not even part of the meeting were also reported to have been in attendance. Senator Betty Apiafi just as Senator Uche Ekwunife who visited on a different bipartisan matter concerning the senate was also mentioned.
“It is mischief to have included these names as part of Ahmad Lawan Campaign Organization,” the Senate Chief Whip said.
Read his full statement below
My attention has been drawn to a list of committee Chairmen of Ahmad Lawan Campaign Organization in which I was also mentioned as the Director General.
The list should be disregarded as no authorization was given to the effect of its publication.
As the Chairman of the meeting held at my instance , it is important to notify the general public that we are not yet in the Campaign proper . A committee will be inaugurated to that effect once our most preferred candidate, Senator Ahmad Lawan emerges as the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC).
I am also running for election in my senatorial district and would rather recommend a sitting Governor who is not running for an election to chair the campaign team at the right time .
Several private visitors who were not even part of the meeting were also reported to have been in attendance. Senator Betty Apiafi just as Senator Uche Ekwunife who visited on a different bipartisan matter concerning the senate was also mentioned.
It is mischief to have included these names as part of Ahmad Lawan Campaign Organization
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu
Chief Whip of the 9th Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria