Just In: Nigerians Looking Up To PDP To Rebuild Our Nation- Former SFG, Anyim
*Southeast Leaders, Governors, PDP Endorse Anyim Pius

Just In: Nigerians Looking Up To PDP To Rebuild Our Nation- Former SFG, Anyim
*Southeast Leaders, Governors, PDP Endorse Anyim Pius

Charity Uwakwe

The former Secretary to the Government of Nigeria, SFG, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim says the protracted extant vacuum as suffered by the Nigerian nation can only be filled up by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Anyim Pius, a 2023 Presidential Aspirant, who stressed that the need for a rebuilt Nigerian nation solely lied on the shoulders of the opposition party, for the support of members of his party and Nigerians
in general, to help drive home his vision.

According to the Ebonyi born political leader, as 2023 elections draw nearer, the party is saddled with a burning zeal to deliver on the expectations of the Nigerian people.

Sen. Anyim Pius stated this today, Thursday, during a Briefing And Consultation session, held at Best Western Hotel.

The briefing had in attendance Zonal and State Executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as select political leaders and elders from across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, making up the five states of the South East geo political zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In his words: “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.”

Below is the release in detail:

SOUTH-EAST BRIEFING AND CONSULTATION
BY SEN. ANYIM PIUS ANYIM
PROTOCOLS

I am most delighted that you all found time to respond and honour 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 honoured by the presence of your distinguished selves. Let me specifically welcome all our Elders, Leaders, Members of our party South East Zonal Working Committee, Members of the State Executives of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and 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 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 successfully through
the up-coming electioneering campaigns and ultimately winning the 2023 general election.

As you may recall, preparatory to the National Convention, the PDP,
among other committees, set up a Zoning Committee, specifically for the
NWC positions. A number of us here, including myself, served on that Zoning Committee. Let me, therefore, take this opportunity to proudly commend our son and brother, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive governor of Enugu State, who chaired the Zoning Committee for the leadership he provided. Through the work of the Zoning Committee and the stabilizing intervention and input of our PDP
governors, the issue of zoning of NWC offices in all the zones of the
country were resolved amicably to the satisfaction of PDP members.

As we prepare for 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.

1. 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;
2. 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.
3. 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 on the basis of
   equity, justice, fairness and inclusiveness.
4. 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. My decision is a product of some years of prayers, reflections and introspection on not just my capacity and preparedness to take on the task ahead, but also deep thoughts on our national challenges and the solutions they demand.

It is therefore with a sense of humility, that I step out as a Nigerian with patriotic fervour, considerable knowledge of our country – its diversities and current challenges; and so properly equipped with clarity of the needed solutions. Let me elaborate; as a young officer, at the then Directorate of Social Mobilization, I understood the need for value orientation as a tool for instilling patriotism. I was also schooled to appreciate the value of social justice, equity and fairness as building blocks for social harmony and inclusion. As a young politician I imbibed
the founding vision of the PDP as a grassroot movement that would provide leadership that will respect the rule of law, ensure that power belongs to the people and deliver national cohesion and inclusiveness through good governance.

As president of the Senate, I was loyal to the party. I managed our
diversity to the extent that ethnicity was never a consideration in all the
activities of the Senate. My 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 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 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 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 in time as her President.
I must take the liberty of this event to specially convey my deepest
appreciation to the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
and his brother the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; both of whom have incredibly led our party to greater height in the South East. I am also to inform you all that I have individually briefed and consulted with them. I have also consulted with leaders and statesmen, party elders and other critical stakeholders across the country. 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 to for our country. That is why I am here before you today my own people.

From my consultations so far, I am glad to report that the responses have been overwhelmingly encouraging and inspiring. Above all, I am also happy to report that the mood of the nation favours the rotation of the Presidency to Southern Nigeria. It is also to my knowledge that the South East 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 judgement, 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 aims 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 prosperity for every Nigerian both living and unborn. So help us God.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Long live the Peoples Democratic Party.

SOUTHEAST LEADERS, GOVERNORS, PDP OTHERS ENDORSE ANYIM PIUS

In a related development, prominent leaders of the PDP, among who are Governors and former Governors have today, declared their unalloyed support for the former Senate President in his ambition to run for the presidency in the forthcoming general elections.

The leaders in a Communique, issued at the end of the briefing, as convened by Sen. Anyim, reiterated that the the South East geo political zone “has earned the right to occupy the office of President of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria in 2023 on account of their eminent qualifications and
overwhelming contributions to the development of all parts of
the federation through the years.”

They, therefore, appealed to members of the party to, in line with equity, justice and harmonious national cohesion, zone their presidential ticket to the Southern zones of the country and the South East in particular.

The communique read in full:

Today, 6th January, 2022, His Excellency Senator Pius Anyim Pius, met with us the Zonal and State Executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as select political leaders and elders from across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, making up the five states of the South East geo political zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The occasion was a special briefing session by Senator Anyim Pius
Anyim. The purpose of the session was to consult the leaders of the
geo political zone on his aspiration to contest the 2023 presidency on
the platform of the PDP. In addition, it was an opportunity for the
Senator to acquaint the leaders thus gathered with the progress and outcomes of his wide- ranging consultations with the leaders of the various sections of the federation, on both his aspiration and the general state of the nation.
In the light of the highpoints of the Senator’s briefing, we resolved as
follows:

1. We wish to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency,
   Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and His Excellency
   Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for their outstanding
   leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South East
   Zone and their clear articulation of the interests of the zone at
   all platforms and organs of the party.
2. That the choice of who becomes President of Nigeria in 2023 has
   become a strategic imperative for the future of the Federal
   Republic of Nigeria. In this regard, the vision, capacity,
   experience and disposition of the next president will make the
   difference about the socio-political stability and economic
   development of the country.
3. That Senator Anyim, through us here assembled, wishes to
   express his profound gratitude for the overwhelming warmth
   and understanding which leaders across the nation showed to him and his aspiration throughout his wide-ranging and
   extensive consultations so far.
4. That we appeal to the Peoples Democratic Party in the interest
   of equity, justice and harmonious national cohesion to zone
   their presidential ticketto the Southern zones of the country and
   the South East in particular.
5. That the people of the South East geo political zone have earned
   the right to occupy the office of President of the Federal Republic
   of Nigeria in 2023 on account of their eminent qualifications and
   overwhelming contributions to the development of all parts of
   the federation through the years.
   We further reiterate that the choice of a South East citizen as
   presidential candidate of the party in 2023 will guarantee to
   every Nigerian a sense of equity, justice and inclusion in the
   management of the affairs of the nation. In our view, this is the
   best way of ensuring that we build a nation that leaves no one or
   group behind.
6. On account of the foregoing, we congratulate Senator Anyim
   Pius Anyim for the patriotism of his decision to offer himself for
   national service by aspiring to contest in the 2023 Presidential
   race. We take due cognizance of his precious record of
   distinguished and unblemished service as President of the
   Senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. In
   these positions, he distinguished himself as a detribalized
   statesman, consensus builder and true nationalist.
   We, therefore, unanimously endorse his aspiration with all
   conviction and enthusiasm and eagerly commend him to the rest
   of the nation as a worthy leader who will pilot the affairs of the
   nation towards greater security, unity and prosperity for all
   citizens.
7. In furtherance of the foregoing, we hereby oblige Senator Anyim
   his request that we all join him to persuade and reassure every
   part of the country to do justice to the South East and thereby
   promote equity and justice as core values of our nation.
8. In assuring Senator Anyim of our support for his aspiration, we
   wish to also extend the same hand of support and solidarity to
   all qualified and deserving sons and daughters of our zone with
   similar aspiration and who reach out to us as Senator Anyim has
   done.
9. It is our solemn appeal to all the peoples of the South East zone
   to remain steadfast in the hope that we can all join hands in
   solidarity with all other parts of the federation to build a prosperous nation founded on democracy, equity and inclusion to the benefit of this great nation.
10. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:

H. E. Senator T. A. Orji Chief Duru-Iheoma SAN
Chairman of Session Session Moderator