By Oluwatobi Adeniji
The presidency of the 10th Senate was a keenly contested exercise that initially had three former governors gunning for the exalted office.
Godswill Akpabio, Orji Kalu, and Abdulaziz Yari, ex-governors of Akwa Ibom, Abia, and Zamfara states respectively all threw their hats in the ring, gunning for the plum office.Orji later pulled out of the race, having given a solemn remark at the valedictory session of the 9th Senate.
Although it is not clear if the former Abia State governor knew the hurdles on his path to the Senate Presidency, he rejected the negative names associated with his personality by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Before I came into politics, I could buy anything money could buy. I am not a thief. Those that put me in prison know the reason. They took over my businesses and wanted to kill me, yet, I survived it and I am in the Senate with you.
I have never lacked, while I was in the PDP where I served for two terms as governor, I brought the money that they used in forming the party; every penny in 1997 and 1998. People I gave transport money from my house in Victoria Island became agents. This is what Nigeria represents,” he said.
A few hours before the election, Kalu stepped down and pledged his support for Kyari who would go on to lose to Akpabio.