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President Bola Tinubu played host to a notable defector on Wednesday, as former Senate President Pius Anyim paid a visit to the State House.
Anyim’s recent switch from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress has sent ripples through Nigeria’s Politics, and his meeting with Tinubu is seen as a strategic move to integrate him into the ruling party’s fold.
As former Senate President Pius Anyim arrived at the State House in Abuja, he was flanked by two influential governors – Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who leads the Progressives Governors’ Forum, and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
This triumvirate was poised to make a lasting impression as Anyim began his new chapter with the ruling party.
Pius Anyim, a former presidential hopeful under the Peoples Democratic Party, has made a bold switch to the All Progressives Congress.
Citing the current “turbulent times,” Anyim expressed his eagerness to put aside partisan differences and work hand-in-hand with the government to address the nation’s pressing challenges.
He stressed that all true patriots have a solemn duty to protect and preserve the country’s peaceful environment, fostering an atmosphere of harmony and cooperation.
Asked why he was leaving the PDP, Anyim said: “Can you look back at the history of the PDP and tell me how many leaders the PDP has produced that had joined the APC or another party at any particular point in time? It’s common.
“But importantly, I am determined to be sure that the country moves on the right path and I should be available to contribute my quota.”
Asked if he could not have contributed his quota from the opposition party, the former Senate President said: “Contributing quota does not necessarily mean to work, but to engender a conducive atmosphere for progress
“I’m not looking for work, but there is a need that given the challenges the country is facing today, we all need to put all hands on deck to make the country move forward.”
Anyim also talked about his interests in the APC, saying, “Certainly, the country is passing through turbulent times and it is the duty of every patriot, if you have nothing to add, ensure that you contribute to the peaceful atmosphere that will engender progress in the country.”
Meanwhile, Uzodimma described Anyim as a “big fish” finally caught by the ruling party.
The governor said the defection was a big plus for the ruling APC, which, he said, was already ripping the benefit of Anyim’s defection.
He said, “We have started harvesting from it. If you recall, only a few days ago, there was a local government election in Ebonyi State and in that election, it was like a one-party movement. The All Progressives Congress won the entire local governments and councils.
Read also: We Will Soon Expose Pius Anyim’s Corruption – Ebonyi Govt
“The party that used to be the strong opposition party, PDP, was nowhere to be seen. The majority of the leaders had already decamped to the APC and they voted one way.
“So in the same manner, because democracy is about the people, when the people are now unanimously agreeing that government is doing well, and a political party is doing well, and they’re all collapsing into that political party, what is remaining is to address the campaign of calumny arising from the propaganda of the opposition, which most of us here are used to.”
With a sense of purpose and appreciation, the Imo governor led a delegation to the Villa to acknowledge the President’s instrumental role in uplifting the South-East region, a gesture that underscores the administration’s commitment to bridging the gap in regional development.
The Imo governor’s meeting with President Tinubu at the Villa also provided the perfect opportunity to share the news of Ayim’s historic defection to the APC, a development that is set to send shake political establishment and reinforce the party’s status as the standard-bearer of Nigerian politics.
“So I think it a huge plus, politically speaking for our party, to the government of the country under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, and also arising from that, we used the opportunity to commend and thank him for signing into law the South-East Development Commission Bill, which he just assented to,” Uzodimma added.
The Imo governor hailed the new legislation as a groundbreaking victory for the South-East region, marking a triumphant culmination of efforts that had previously been thwarted, and paving the way for a brighter future for the people.
“He finally assented to the bill, which means listening to cries and the people of the South-East, particularly the leadership and the South-East Governors’ Forum, which I am the Chairman, are indeed very grateful,” he said.
On his part, the Enugu state governor said Anyim’s defection was for genuine reasons as he is “not looking for food.”
Nwifuru said Anyim was “not a small fry and is not looking for food”.
“I’m very excited, and it’s a thing of joy for me that a very big fish in my state, especially that of our nation, Pius Ayim, and so many other distinguished leaders have decided to join our party, the All Progressives Congress. It is part of the benefits and dividends of democracy.
“Somebody like Pius, he’s not a pushover; he’s not somebody that you can say ‘because of money he is joining the APC,’ or that he is hungry or looking for a job.”
Nwiru attributed the defection of several high-profile politicians in his state to the APC’s impressive performance, stating that the party’s accomplishments, guided by its conviction and sound decision-making, had prompted many to switch allegiance.
