The former lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, Mao Ohuabunwa has raised concerns about the suitability of Orji Kalu for the position of Senate President.
Ohuabunwa argued that Kalu has an ongoing case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that disqualifies him from holding such a position.
As the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June draws closer, Kalu, who won reelection, is one of the contenders for the position of Senate President.
However, Ohuabunwa, who Kalu defeated to become the senator representing Abia North in 2019, is opposing his candidacy.
In March, Kalu declared his ambition to be Senate President and asked the All Progressives Congress (APC), his party, to zone the office to the Southeast. This has led to concerns about his suitability for the role given his ongoing case with the EFCC.
Recalled Kalu was arraigned alongside Ude Jones Udeogu, a former director of finance and accountant, on 36 counts of money laundering totaling N7.1 billion.
In December 2019, he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment while Udeogu got a 10-year sentence. However, the Supreme Court nullified their conviction and ordered a fresh trial after ruling that the trial judge ought not to have presided over the matter while he was an appeal court judge.
Speaking on Politics Today, a program on Channels Television, on Monday, Ohuabunwa expressed his concerns about Kalu’s candidacy for the position of Senate President, noting that he is not competent to hold office. He further argued that Kalu still has an ongoing case with the EFCC and that he was convicted and not discharged.
“I will feel terrible because I don’t believe that he is competent to represent the Senate,” Ohuabunwa said.
“He has not won the election, so I wouldn’t want a Senate President that will be removed tomorrow. He has so much baggage with him.
“He still has an EFCC case in court. Don’t forget that he was convicted. He wasn’t discharged. I am wondering why the EFCC is still holding back on that prosecution.”
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