Prominent Nigerians including President Muhammadu Buhari and former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan are currently gathered at the International Conference Centre, Abuja to celebrate with former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim who turned 61 years old on Saturday.
President Buhari, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha arrived at the venue at exactly 11:07 accompanied by a retinue of aides and associates.
Dr. Jonathan, the chairman of the occasion in his opening remarks, commended Anyim for his humility saying as Senate President and later Secretary to the Government of the Federation, he did well to serve Nigeria creditably.
It what appears an endorsement of Anyim’s 2023 Presidential ambition, Jonathan noted that having done so well in previous public offices, “Anyim can do better if given the opportunity.”
www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/10/31/2023-anyim-declares-interest-in-presidency/
Also at the event are former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and ex-Sokoto state state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, among others.
Anyim Declares Intention to run for presidency
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim says he will contest for presidency in 2023 whether the Peoples Democratic Party will zone it to South East or not.
Anyim made the disclosure on Saturday in an interview with newsmen.
He said that the party was being repositioned.
The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation noted that the party’s national convention would signal the commencement of its political activities.
“Posters of my presidential bid and agitations by groups for me to contest flooded the social media in 2020 and I disassociated myself from such calls.
The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation noted that the party’s national convention would signal the commencement of its political activities.
“Posters of my presidential bid and agitations by groups for me to contest flooded the social media in 2020 and I disassociated myself from such calls.
“I felt that it was too early for such a declaration, to enable the present administration concentrate on governance.
“Such calls resurfaced in the early part of 2021 and I chose to be quiet over the issue.
“We currently have less that 18 months to the next elections, and I feel the time is ripe to indicate my interest,” Anyim said.
He said that the zoning committe instituted by the party was only saddled with zoning party positions and not other positions.
“Zoning of such positions was deferred but nothing stops any one from South-East Zone from contesting the presidency even if it is not zoned to it.
“The most important thing is that the party’s national convention is a sort of rebirth for a group of people who have recovered from a setback.
“The party members are focused and determined,” he added.
Anyim said that in spite of the party’s seeming conflict with its former Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, he remained a friend to many members.
“He is particularly my friend and we do not have any problem with him.
“The issue is that the party needed to move but be assured that he is not going into wilderness,” Anyim said. (NAN)
