Shettima urged Abdulaziz Yari, a leading contender for the 10th Senate Presidency, to cede the position to the Senate's Chief Whip.

Shettima acknowledged that Yari, the former governor of Zamfara State, currently holds the advantage in the contest. However, he advised Yari to allow Kalu to assume the senate's leadership in the interest of religious harmony and the promotion of unity.

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“We are happy with the strong partnership between the North and South in Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. We are aware they are yet to formally announce to Nigerians who becomes the Senate President and who becomes the deputy. We are happy that the two are ready to accept the decisions between the two groups.

 

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“We also know that Yari has the upper hand in the partnership since he has about 42 Senators while Kalu has about 27 senators making the partnership have 69 Senators in their fold. But we are appealing to Yari to consider the future of the country in this critical time and accept the Deputy Senate President position. There is actually no difference between the Senate President and Deputy Senate President since the two are presiding officers.

“We only think that for religious balancing and for peace and unity of the country, the South East deserves to produce the Senate President. Senator Uzor Kalu is a detribalized Nigerian who has built relationships across all regions. He is very close with President Tinubu and his family. He is close to the North and the South-South,” he said.

 

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Shettima reiterated that Kalu is competent, experienced, very tranquil, and patient, and that it was only appropriate for Yari to consider the appeal and allow Kalu to be the Senate President on their joint ticket.