By Our Reporter
Anyim Pius Anyim, a major contender to the office of the Nigerian president, under the auspices of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has once more 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 nor play a second fiddle, independently made by a delegation from 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 paid him a courtesy visit in his office, pledging to swim and sink with him, only if he assures them that he would remain resolute till the end. Boosting their confidence, Anyim assured, “I m only contesting for the office of the president and nothing else.” He told the delegations that his confidence is buoyed by the enormous strides, his party, 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. According to him, majority of the Ex-Militants today from Niger Delta are successful doctors, Engineers, politicians etc. Anyim informed the group that he gave his best not only to ensure the success of the exercise under Goodluck Jonathan regime but also that he committed himself to the over all successes of Jonathan administration. Anyim told his excited audience that the humane approach of leadership adopted by PDP which yielded a huge result in the Niger Delta experiment will be replicated under his regime. According to him, “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. Recalling Anyim’s unifying roles in the National Assembly, Dogara reminded Anyim that Nigeria presently is in dire need of his type of leadership begging him to, “please step forward fast to come and unite us,” Dogara pleaded. Anyim however assured them that their support and that of the many others have emboldened him to sustain the struggle for the exalted office. He reminded them too that in addition to their hopes, that the resolutions of the Southern governors
that presidency must 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, proud, happy and with plenty of hopes for themselves and their country. Once more, he promised, “my regime will harness the diversities of the country , in an inclusive governance, give everyone a sense of belonging and weld the divergent interests together into a huge asset”, Anyim assured.