Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and other aspirants of South-East extraction in all the political parties, were showcased to Nigerians on Monday by an Igbo political mobilisation group, Nzuko Umuna, in an attempt to convince other Nigerians that the Zone has quality candidates to adiminster Nigeria in 2023.
Aspirants present at the occasion under the aegis, Greater Nigerian Conference (GNC), included Sen. Rochas Okorocha, Gov. Dave Umahi, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Dr. Chris Ngige, Mr. Peter Obi, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, Mrs. Caroline Nwosu, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu and Bishop (Mrs) Offorkansi.
The GNC was convened to strengthen the demand for the Presidency to be zoned to the South-East in 2023.
The aspirants were presented to the gathering and given three minutes to address the conference after video clips of their profiles were played.
“This conference is greatly timely, it is thoughtful. In this matter (of Presidency), experience is important, exposure is important and knowledge is important” Anyim said.
Laying his credentials bare before the Conference and Nigerians, Anyim said, “all through my public service career, I have served in only the Presidency. My civil service career was in two parastatals in the Presidency.
“As President of the Senate, I worked with the President (of Nigeria) round the clock and as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, I was the engine room of the Presidency.
“My experience is cognate, my capacity is proven, my nationalist disposition is established and my knowledge of our country is profound.”
On his vision to rebuild, reunite and reposition Nigeria, the PDP presidential hopeful said, “the challenges of Nigeria are political, economic and social.
“Most of the time, people isolate the economic challenges as the most urgent.
“But I want to emphasize that the most critical and urgent challenge of our country today is political which includes leadership.
“You have to have a politically stable country before you can build the economy. You have to have a country before you can have social cohesion.
“If I have the opportunity to lead this country, I will, working with Nigerians, build the needed consensus, to lay a new foundation upon which we will rebuild our nation,” Anyim said.
He commended the conveners as well as non-Igbos, particularly Pa. Ayo Adebanjo, Pa. Edwin Clark and Dr. Bitrus Pogu, who attended the Conference, for their consistent support for South-East for Nigerian presidency in 2023.
Chief Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Pa. Adebanjo, leader of the Pan Yoruba Cultural Group, Afenifere, were the Special Guests of Honour.