Honourable Benjamin Kalu has officially withdrawn from the race to be the Speaker of the 10th National Assembly.
The federal lawmaker from Abia state said his decision was influenced by the zoning formula released by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, May 8, 2023.
In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, the APC zoned the Speakership seat to the northwest and the Deputy Speakership seat to the southeast.
The statement also explicitly named Kalu the party’s preferred candidate for Deputy Speaker in the Green Chambers.
With the official announcement of the zoning formula of the APC, Kalu, in a statement seen by News.ng said he will now contest to be the Deputy Speaker.
The lawmaker representing Bende Federal Constituency, Abia state, extended his gratitude and appreciation to all who supported him while he vied for the Speakership position.
Part of the statement read:
“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 urged all his supporters nationwide to accept the party’s decision.