The endorsement was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the South East briefing and consultative session hosted by Sen. Anyim on Thursday in Enugu.

 

In the communique signed by a former Governor of Abia state, Senator Theodore A. Orji who chaired the session and Chief Duru-Iheoma SAN who moderated the session, the leaders appealed to the PDP to, "in the interest of equity, justice and harmonious national cohesion zone its presidential ticket to the Southern zones of the country and the South East in particular".  

 

Those in attendance were Zonal and State Executives of the 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.

 

The occasion was a special briefing session by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF to consult the leaders of the geo political zone on his aspiration to contest the 2023 presidency on the platform of the PDP.

 

Part of the communique reads; "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.  

  

"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.  

 

"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. 

 

"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. 

 

"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. 

 

"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. 

 

"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". 

 

The PDP leaders also thanked Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and 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". 

 

Speaking at the event, Anyim who said his aspiration is not limited by the agitations for and against zoning, saying while zoning the presidential ticket to the South East will ensure equity and fairness, a contrary decision will make the subject remain a moral burden on the conscience of the nation.

 

He said; "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", he added.

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