Barely 24-hours after the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoned the House of Representatives speaker to the North West, a ranking member, Hon Benjamin Kalu, has officially withdrawn from the race.
Kalu, a member representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, in a statement by his media aide on Tuesday May 9, 2023 declared his withdrawal and announced his intention to run for the office of deputy speaker.
The statement reads: “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.”
