Kalu made the remark while speaking with journalists at his country home in Bende, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Friday.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has emphasised that the choice of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s successor in 2031 rests with Nigerians, not any individual.

Kalu made the remark while speaking with journalists at his country home in Bende, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Friday.

Asked if President Tinubu might hand over power to a Southeast candidate, Kalu urged the Igbo people to strengthen ties with other regions, citing the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s national outreach as a model for securing cross-regional support.

“The President is a democrat. It is not in his powers to hand over to anybody. It is Nigerians who will decide where power goes,” Kalu said.

He added, “We should extend a handshake across the Niger and embrace other regions. Social media shows that the loudest voices are often Igbos, but national cohesion requires partnership.

“Power is now in the Southern corridor, led by a Southerner. This is the time to solidify relationships, especially with the Southwest. When it is our turn, those who partnered with us will reciprocate. But if we remain critical, they are watching. Political partnership is key.

“Who are we partnering with now as Igbos? We cannot make ourselves President alone. Buhari reached out to other regions, and that made it possible.

If we can set aside past grievances and reach out, the Southeast can regain its past political prominence, as seen in the era of Nnamdi Azikiwe and other leaders.

“If the President completes his tenure in 2031, Nigerians will decide his successor.”

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