Orji Uzor Kalu, North Senatorial District, has said he will no longer contest for the Deputy Senate President position.
Kalu, in a statement by his media office, early Tuesday, said he will support the party’s chosen candidate for the position.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, endorsed Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as its preferred candidate for the position.
The statement read: “I decided to throw my hat into the ring to contest for the position of Deputy Senate President after wide consultations with stakeholders especially my political associates, friends and colleagues.
“However, I use this medium to announce my withdrawal from the race in the interest of the APC and Nigeria at large.
“I contested and won election as a Senator on the platform of the APC and as such, I cannot go against the decision of my party.
“The party, I am optimistic will consider the South East for other principal positions in the Senate and House of Representatives for the sake of national unity.
“The South East should be ably and well represented at the top hierarchy of the ninth National Assembly.
“The ninth National Assembly will work harmoniously regardless of party affiliations to ensure that the executive and judiciary arms of government are complemented in a bid to build a prosperous Nigeria.”