By: Ruth Oginyi
Senator Anyim Pius Anyim former Senate President of Nigeria and a presidential aspirant in the 2023 general election under the People’s Democratic Party Thursday called on the major political parties in the country APC and the PDP to zone their presidential ticket to the southeast.
Anyim, the erstwhile Secretary to the government of the federation, spoke during the Southeast Briefing And Consultation he organized at Enugu state, southeast Nigeria.
The PDP presidential aspirant noted he joins other well-meaning Nigerians to appeal to all the political parties to take the fair, just, and equitable decision to zone their presidential slots to the South particularly the South East, that it will ensure equity and justice in the country.
He said he is a committed disciple in the rule of law; and will always promote and protect the sanctity of lives as well as the rights and liberties of all citizens.
“am most delighted that you all found time to respond and honor my invitation to this briefing. I realize that many of us have just resumed our normal undertakings after the Christmas and end-of-year holidays. I feel honored by the presence of your distinguished selves. Let me specifically welcome all our Elders, Leaders, Members of our party Southeast Zonal Working Committee, Members of the State Executives of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and the Imo States to this briefing and consultation meeting. I thank you all immensely for making out the time to be here.
On the 18th of February, 2023, exactly 13 months and 23 days from today, the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections will be held. Although the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is yet to issue the guidelines for political activities, individuals with aspirations to contest for offices have commenced consultation and preliminary preparations.
This session today is part of that process. For us in the PDP, the successful holding of our National Convention and election of the new National Working Committee, (NWC) members, has invariably set the stage for political activities in our party towards 2023. Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to once again congratulate our National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the National Secretary, our 1833-1498-0506-7147 own Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, and other members of the NWC for their meritorious election at the PDP 2021 National convention. With this new leadership, our great party has been reinvigorated to take PDP through the upcoming electioneering campaigns and ultimately win the 2023 general elections.
As we prepare for the 2023 elections, I take the liberty to say that the challenge before our great party is how to deliver on the expectations of the Nigerian people. Nigerians are looking up to the PDP to rebuild our nation; to protect lives and property; to restore the respect of Nigeria within the Comity of Nations; to re-align the political structure of Nigeria to reflect the current realities; to revive our economy and save the naira; to rebuild our broken-down social fabric; to create jobs for our teeming youths and rehabilitate our collapsing educational systems among others. My brothers and sisters, the summary of these expectations is that Nigerians expect PDP to return to power so that our nation can resume the march to greatness.
The above tasks are no mean ones. The political pedigree, vision, and credentials of who leads the party to accomplish these tasks must command priority attention and consideration of our great party. It is in furtherance of this that I put forth my credentials and records for your consideration.
” I would like to state that, I have stood with our party, the PDP, in good and bad times. Like most loyal party members, I have had my moments of elation, as well as some difficult times but I never moved. I have never switched parties. Therefore, I make bold to say that I can be entrusted with the vision, mission, values, and principles of PDP as, a committed party man;
” I have been privileged to understand our national problems and appreciate their enormity and peculiarities in the last 21 years from my vantage positions in both the legislative and the executive arms of government. Therefore, I have a clear view of the task ahead as well as the solutions needed to advance the cause of our country.
“My records as President of the Senate and as Secretary to the Government of the Federation clearly show that I am more interested in building strong institutions than seeking enhancement of personal power or position. My records show effective and efficient management of the nation’s diversity based on equity, justice, fairness, and inclusiveness.
“I am a committed believer in the rule of law; and will always promote and protect the sanctity of lives as well as the rights and liberties of all citizens. My brothers and sisters, I consider it a privilege to stand before you today to brief you and also consult with you on my resolve to step out to contest for the leadership of our beloved country.
He explained that his leadership in the National Assembly not only promoted independence and stability of the legislature, as an institution but also equality of all constituencies and their representatives and so enhanced productivity in the National Assembly.
“As SGF (Secretary to the Government of the Federation), I devoted my energy to helping the President to give focus to 1833-1498-0506-7147 the presidency on the core needs of all Nigerians, maintain harmony among all Ministries, Agencies and Departments of government and ensure equity, fairness, and inclusiveness in the allocation of resources and appointments.
“My brothers and sisters, my experiences notwithstanding, I do not claim to be the most qualified from the South East or any other part of the country.
” I am only offering myself to continue my services to my country in the capacity of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at a time, I believe, my experiences will be needed to save our beloved country from drifting further.
“I am convinced with due modesty, that I am willing and available, ready and equipped, by experience and exposure, temperament and humility, capacity and competence to serve Nigeria at this point as her President.
“The purpose of the consultation is to gauge the mood of the nation, seek counsel, blessing and listen to leaders and elders on their perspectives on the way forward for our country. That is why I am here before you today my people.
“Above all, I am also happy to report that the mood of the nation favors the rotation of the Presidency to Southern Nigeria. It is also to my knowledge that the southeast stakeholders have repeatedly made the case for zoning the Presidency to the South East, for equity and fairness.
“Nevertheless, you may recall that when I declared my interest to contest for the presidency, I was emphatic that I will contest whether the presidency is zoned to the South or not. This is because If the presidency is zoned to South East, it will satisfy the just demand of equity and fairness. If it is not zoned to the South East, it will remain a burden on the conscience of the nation.
“Let me therefore at this point join all well-meaning Nigerians to appeal to all the political parties to take the fair, just, and equitable decision to zone their presidential slots to the South particularly the South East.
“Let me also at this point state clearly that I am aware that I am not the only aspirant from the South East seeking to run for the office of president. I encourage my brothers who so desire to please step out in their respective parties and after the primaries, the nation shall choose among us according to their good 1833-1498-0506-7147 judgment, after all, it is God who gives power. I, therefore, encourage you to give any other of our brothers and sisters opportunities as you have given me today. From all my consultations, I can reassure this assembly that our basis for hope remains sound. Our optimism about Nigeria is a shared one because what we desire for Nigeria is exactly what the leaders of other sections want. We all want a more united Nigeria. We all want a safe country. We all want a fair country that gives every citizen a fair shot at every available opportunity. The net result of my consultations is that I have found common ground with fellow compatriots on the need for a better Nigeria for ourselves and our children.
“In the months ahead, I, therefore, seek your further support to deepen my engagements with other Nigerians. Our task is to reduce the barriers to communication and open the doors of greater cooperation. We need to undertake a journey of mutual reassurance as we work towards a future national leadership that understands our diversity and how best to manage it to the benefit of every Nigerian. Our aim and objectives are shared by all. We seek a more united nation. We desire inclusive governance. We will work towards a more progressive federation. Above all, we will work towards an equitable, just, and humane nation that will guarantee peace and 1833-1498-0506-7147 prosperity for every Nigerian both living and unborn.
In their remarks, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Obinna Ogba, and Iyom Josephine Anini maintained that the presidential ticket should be given to the southeast as the Igbos are speaking with one voice and for the economy of Nigeria to be restored an Igbo man should be allowed to rule the country.
They emphasized that Igbos are not visitors to Nigeria, therefore, should be allowed to rule the country.
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