Chief whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, has suggested to President Muhammadu Buhari to take over the position of the APC”s board of trustees (BoT) immediately after handing over to the president-elect on May 29.

Mr Kalu made the suggestion, in the course of the week, after a closed-door meeting with the president at the State House, Abuja.

The chief Whip told State House correspondents that he officially informed the president of his intention to run for Senate president.

According to him, if the position is zoned to the South-East by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it would stimulate peace in the country.

Mr Kalu, ex-Abia governor, said though the zone might not have voted Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, making him the Senate president would bring peace and honour to the country.

Mr Kalu also disclosed that he discussed the stability of the ruling party with the president.

Mr Buhari on Wednesday swore in former inspector general of police, Solomon Arase, as the new chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Mr Arase’s swearing-in preceded the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), came two months after the Senate confirmed him as chairperson of the PSC.

Mr Buhari had forwarded Mr Arase’s name to the Senate for confirmation in line with sections 153 (1) and 154 (1) of the Constitution as amended.

Mr Arase, 65, who retired in 2016, was the 18th indigenous inspector general of police (from April 2015 to June 2016).

The president also swore in five board members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

The members included  Murtala Kankia from Katsina State (North-West); Zephaniah Bulus from Nasarawa State (North-Central) and Farouk Umar from Yobe (North-East). Others are Taofik Abdulsalam from Ondo (South-West) and Prof. Juwaria Badamasi from Kogi State (North-Central).

Mr Buhari also presided over the meeting of FEC where the council approved N24.2 billion for the provision of Internet facilities at 20 airports, some institutions of learning and markets across the country.

The council also approved N41.4 billion for the construction of a Centre of Excellence for environmental restoration in Kana local council area of Rivers and N95.8 billion for dualisation of Akure/Ita Ogbolu-Iju/Ado Ekiti road, linking Ekiti and Ondo.

The president on Friday met with Katsina’s Governor-elect Dikko Radda, and Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

Mr Radda was accompanied by Governor Aminu Masari.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting with the president, Mr Radda said the priority of his administration, when sworn in on May 29, would be to improve security in Katsina. According to him, development will thrive only when the people are at peace and feel secure.

The president ended the week under review celebrating the victory of Nigerian-born boxer, Anthony Joshua, over Jermaine Franklin, commending the triumph of the pugilist over a formidable opponent.

Mr Buhari extolled the mentality of Mr Joshua ”who did not allow personal setbacks and obstacles to dent his resilient spirit.”

According to the president, the former three-time world heavyweight champion demonstrated that by hard work, patience, dedication, persistence and humility, those who dare do win.

(NAN)