2023: Orji Kalu withdraws from presidential race, backs Lawan’s ambition

The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Orji Kalu, has officially withdrawn from the 2023 presidential race and is throwing his weight behind the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Mr Kalu said this on Monday in a statement.

It was earlier reported that a support group procured the N100 million APC presidential expression of interest and nomination forms for the Senate President.

The group procured the forms for him on Monday at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

The group has since presented the forms to Mr Lawan.

Mr Kalu had slammed presidential aspirants from other regions in the South for what he described as no respect for the South-east and disregard for equity and fairness in playing politics.

In his statement, the chief whip indicated his willingness to support the North-east which, according to him, has never produced the President of Nigeria. He said since there is no zoning and the contest is open to all Nigerians, he has officially withdrawn from the presidential contest in 2023.