South East PDP backs Anyim’s 2023 presidential aspiration

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East region, yesterday, endorsed the 2023 presidential aspiration of the former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim.

This followed as Anyim expressed the hope that it would remain a burden on the country’s conscience if the presidency was not zoned to the region, but will satisfy the exigencies of equity and fairness if the office was ceded to the region.

At a well-attended consultative session Anyim hosted in Enugu State, members of the party also appealed to the PDP to zone their presidential ticket to the south and especially the South East in the interest of equity, justice and national cohesion.

Reading a nine-point resolution reached the session, signed by former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, they restated that allowing the South East to produce the next president would deepen the country’s unity.

They said: “We, therefore, endorse Anyim’s aspiration and recommend him to the entire country, as a worthy leader, who will ensure greater security, unity and prosperity of all Nigerians.

They said the choice of who becomes President of Nigeria in 2023 had become a strategic imperative for the country.

“In this regard, the vision, capacity, experience and disposition of the next president will make the difference in the socio-political stability and economic development of the country.

“Anyim wishes to express his gratitude for the warmth and understanding, which Nigerian leaders have shown him over his aspiration in his consultations so far across the country,” they said.

The party insisted that the Southeast region has the right to occupy the office of the president in 2023 on account of the region’s qualification and contributions to the development of the country over the years.

“We further restate that the choice of a South-East leader, as the presidential candidate of the party in 2023 will guarantee equity, justice and inclusion in the management of the nation’s affairs. This is the best way to ensure that we build a nation that alienates no ethnic nationality behind.”

“On account of the foregoing, we congratulate Anyim on the patriotism of his decision to offer himself for national service by aspiring to contest the 2023 presidential race. We take due cognisance of his previous record of distinguished and unblemished service as President of the Senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Anyim had said his experience of over two decades in government placed him in a vantage position to rescue Nigeria and sought the support of the South-East people to enable him to actualise his ambition.

Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Obinna Ogba, Theodore Orji, Ama Nnachi, Chukwuta Utazi and Gilbert Nnaji, National Vice Chairman of the party in the South East, Ali Odefa, Fidelis Ozichukwu, Frank Nweke Jnr., Frank Ogbuewu and Mrs. Josephine Anenih, among others, attended the event.