FEATURE:


The ripples generated by the presidential bid of His Excellency: Sen. Chief Anyim Pius Anyim has continued to reverbate across the country. Not only has it stirred the political sphere but it has continued to gather acclaim and support from Nigerians from all works especially statesmen and leaders who know for sure, that it needs redemption presently.

The courage to declare to run for the covered seat of the country's prime position at a time potential aspirants were still weighing possible options, has seen the former Senate President who stabilised the murky waters of the national assembly at 39 years of age, elevate courage to an art form.

At the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anyim threw the bombshell and when many thought it was fluke, he had followed the declaration with stringent consultations and in the face of pervading apprehensions, have continued to tour the country: soliciting goodwill, seeking support and convincing stakeholders, leaders and followers to identify with the vision of redemption come 2023.

The ebullient former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is consulting vigorously across the country over this noble mission. He recently had audience with the first republic Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark at this palatial home in Asokoro, Abuja.

The 95 year old elder statesman prominent Ijaw leader and Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) welcomed Anyim and praised his courage and determination to seek the presidential platform to intervene in the numerous challenges confronting the country.

Clark reminded the Ishiagu Ebonyi state born political colossus that at certain points in a nation's life, patriots and leaders of proven integrity should step forward and assume a cardinal role in such society.

He advised the political colossus to to be focussed in the aspiration and expressed confidence in his ability to deliver.

"You demonstrated purposeful leadership in the past at a young age to manage the country's affairs as the Senate President. I pray that you succed and hereby urge Nigerians to share your vision .

Our fathers say that goodness begets favourable tidings. The courage to declare has swayed unimaginable support and goodwill to the the just, fair and deserved clamour for an Igbo presidency. Kiagbodo Clark lent his fatherly and passionate voice to the clamour.

"After the Buhari presidency, equity, justice and fairness demands that Igbos should be supported by all to produce a competent president for the country.

"I enjoin Nigerians to strengthen the bond of equity and fairplay as has been done to other zones since 1999. I have good relationship with with Igbo leaders especially those of the first and second republics. Igbo are passionate about the unity and prosperity of Nigeria.

The people are keying into his noble aspiration. The G64 Forum of Ebonyi state, an association of noble stakeholders of the state at its general meeting held recently at Salt Lake Hotel, Abakaliki, unanimously threw its weight behind the Ebonyi PDP's adoption of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as its candidate for the 2023 Presidential election.

The Forum's Chairman, Mr Okechukwu Ukpai, expressed the forum's gratitude to Chief Anyim for offering himself for service of Nigeria at a time of great national difficulty.

"Strong and stable characters are needed to rescue the country from disintegration and his Excellency's courage butresses his enviable pedigree as former President of the Senate and a stabilising force in the administration of former President Good luck Jonathan which he served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

"His Excellency quelled the turbulence in the Senate at such period which he anchored peacefully and productively throughout his tenure as Senate President.

Unveiling its campaign poster for Anyim, the forum pledged to do all in its power to support the worthy ambition of this great patriot so that Nigerians can smile again.

"Nigerians from all walks of life and other ethnic units should support Anyim in his bid to lead this country in the interest of equity, justice, fair play and for the overall unity and peace of the country.

The unity and stability of Nigeria lies in equitable distribution of our common heritage, all regions of the country should allow and support the president of Nigeria from south east region and such should be Anyim.

Courage overflows inside a man called to redeem his people. At any given point, whether in the face of upheavals, doubt or indecision, it comes to fore.

In the face of doubt that aspirants from the south east might chicken out and take lesser positions, Anyim has given an avid assurance: the presidency or nothing. The ebullient statesman reaffirmed his determination to pursue his ambition of becoming the President of Nigeria in 2023 to the end.

Responding to the pleas not to back down or play a second fiddle from a delegation of Southern Kaduna and a Coalition of Niger Delta group, Anyim assured them of his resolve to fight the battle to the end.

The groups, led by Professor Dogara Mato and Joseph Opuma respectively, had visited him in his office, pledging to swim and sink with him, only if he assures them that he would remain resolute till the end.

"I am only contesting for the office of the president and nothing else.” He said, noting that his confidence is buoyed by the enormous strides, the PDP had made in the institution of democracy in Nigeria.

He reminded the Niger Delta group that his party, the PDP, established the Niger Delta Amnesty program and ensured that it was nurtured to a very successful end. He said that majority of the Ex-militants are successful doctors, engineers, politicians etc.

"I gave my best not only to ensure the success of the exercise under Goodluck Jonathan regime but also to the over all successes of the administration. The humane approach of leadership adopted by PDP which yielded a huge result in the Niger Delta experiment will be replicated under my regime as president.

"Whenever you take your citizens as citizens and give them reasons to be resourceful, I am convinced they will surely become patriotic.”

Meanwhile, the professor Dogara group from Kaduna state had earlier told Anyim that they have not only come to pledge loyalty to him but to ask that they be incorporated into his campaign team.

Dogara, a former Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna state House of Assembly, told Anyim that his pedigree has endeared him not just to the group but to the heart of many Nigerians.

"I recall Anyim’s unifying roles in the National Assembly and Nigeria presently is in dire need of his type of leadership: “please step forward fast to come and unite us,”

The political colossus assured them that their support and that of the many others have emboldened him to sustain the struggle for the exalted office. He noted that the resolutions by southern governors that the nation's presidency should go to the south has added another impetus to his struggle. Anyim re-echoed his earlier assertions that Nigeria and Nigerians under his leadership will be united and proud.