SENATOR Orji Kalu has said that contrary to certain claims making the rounds, there was no cheating in the election that saw Senator Godswill Akpabio emerge as President of the Senate.
Kalu’s comment comes on the heels of claims that some Senators under the umbrella of the ruling All Progressives Congress, might be trying to cross-carpet following the outcome of the June 13 election that saw Akpabio become Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.
Akpabio had trounced Senator Abdul’aziz Yari to emerge the new Senate President, with the former Akwa Ibom governor being returned elected after scoring 63 votes defeating Yari who scored 46 votes.
This decision did not sit well with Yari and the former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, alleged that he was betrayed by some of his colleagues.
Yari claimed his earlier permutations showed that he would get at least 61 out of the 109 votes available, which would have been enough to see him coast home to victory.
Reacting to Yari’s claims and to the assertions that this election might make some lawmakers move to another party in the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu said there was no funny-business conducted on the floor of the hallowed chamber, adding that Akpabio won fair and square.
“Let me be honest with you, the election in the Senate was transparent. Akpabio won the election. It was free, it was fair,” the lawmaker asserted.
He added, “I can’t lie to my conscience, Akpabio won the election hands down. There was no comparison on who won the election; if there is anything any other person has wants to say, that is their business but Akpabio to my conscience, to my seeing, to my honour, he won the election. ”
Buttressing his point, Kalu who was Chief Whip of the last Senate, said everyone has congratulated Akpabio because all the Senators agree that election was fair to all who contested for the seat of the Senate President.
While congratulating the CNA, the Clerk and all staff of the Senate, the former Abia State governor argued that the Senate is not divided.
“There is no two Senate, there is only one Senate. On the 13th of June was the day we had one Senate.
“There is no pro-Akpabio and against Akpabio. Even Yari himself understands that all the Senators need to work with Akpabio, he is the Senate President.”
Kalu used the occasion of the Sallah celebration to appeal to all lawmakers in the Senate to come together and work as one for the good of the Nigerian people.