The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, has again stated that he will not step down in the race for Senate President of the next assembly.

Speaking to the media in Abuja on Tuesday, Kalu, a former governor of Abia, said he is discussing his candidacy with Abdulaziz Yari, a fellow contestant and former governor of Zamfara.

Kali said the outcome of their meetings will soon be made public.

“I won’t step down for anybody. We are talking with governor Yari. Our group and his group are talking, intimate talk and partnership. We will make sure that no one zone can produce the senate presidency,” he said.

“Like I used to tell people, no one zone can produce the president of Nigeria. What we are trying to do with Senator Yari is a united partnership that will work for Nigeria. In the coming days or weeks, that partnership will be unveiled, so we are in serious talks.

“I cannot deny it – Yari is a friend of mine and I’m his friend and we have decided to talk. We have been speaking for the past four weeks and the result will be unveiled by our sponsors, he has his sponsors and I have my sponsors.

“So the sponsors will come together to decide what direction this partnership will be. I’ll be very happy to reveal what the sponsors will say.”

Mr Kalu assured that the 10th senate would not disappoint Nigerians.

“We are not going to disappoint Nigerians. We are capable of representing ourselves. Whether Yari-Kalu or Kalu-Yari, we will not disappoint Nigerians.

“We will give Nigerians what they want. We will support the federal government and Nigerians will not be disappointed,” he said.

The ruling party had chosen Godswill Akpabio, a former Niger Delta minister, for Senate President.