By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Former President of the Senate, Pius Anyim has urged the leadership of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to respect it’s zoning principle as enshrines in the constitution of the party.
The Frontline Presidential hopeful made the appeal on Wednesday at the PDP Headquarters when he sought audience with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party while submitting his Presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
Recall that PDP zoning committee led by Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue State submitted it’s report to the National Working Committee in an undisclosed details which is suspected to imply that the group threw open the Presidential zoning open, in line with an earlier recommendations by Gov. Bala Mohammed committee on 2019 Election Review.
Speaking with members of NWC on the issue of zoning, Anyim said, “My appeal is that zoning being a fundamental principle of our party should not be jettisoned.
“Democracy, being a system of rules and order, depends on strong institutions for its sustenance and success. When a system can no longer defend its rules, it will enthrone the reign of might as against the rule of law.
“My appeal is that PDP should defend Sec. 7 (3) (c) of its constitution. I seek your prayers and partnership on this collective journey. I trust that I can count on your support and goodwill at all times. Together, we shall make Nigeria great again”.
The former SGF urged the NWC to remain firm and resolute amidst the challenge confronting the nation adding that he has the magic wand to fix the country.
He said, “I understand the challenges confronting our nation today and I have clarity of what the solutions could be”
Anyim while agreed to abide by the decision of the party but reminded the party’s leadership that the “ democracy thrives on three ‘certainties, including Certainty of tenure, Certainty of structure, Certainty of process”
“At anytime any of these ‘certainties’ is no longer guaranteed, democracy will corrupt justice and enthrone inequity. Accordingly, my appeal is that zoning being a fundamental principle of our party should not be jettisoned.
“Democracy, being a system of rules and order, depends on strong institutions for its sustenance and success. When a system can no longer defend its rules, it will enthrone the reign of might as against the rule of law”
He stated that never before in our history has our nation been as divided as it is today, along the lines of ethnicity and religion.
Anyim also noted that “separatist agitations have become a national problem, Boko Haram – Islamic State! IPOB – Biafra State! Igboho – Oduduwa State, added that “Kidnapping and banditry have become choice occupations”
Anyim traced the root of all the agitations to “bad governance, discrimination, nepotism, mediocrity, and denial of the dividends of democracy.
According to him, “non state actors have unhindered access to superior arms to confront, and in some cases, overpower state actors, adding that “ the capacity of the state to protect lives and property has been severely weakened.
Anyim stated that “poverty, hunger and deprivation have sapped the self-confidence of our citizens, weakened their faith in the country and eroded their sense of patriotism.
“Let me say that my presentation is not a manifesto as I shall implement the party manifest but my personal pathway to give meaning to our party manifesto.
“In my entire public service career, I worked only in the presidency:
As a civil servant in two parastatals in the presidency.
As president of the Senate, I worked alongside a president.
As Secretary to the Government of the Federation, I functioned as the engine room of the presidency in the glorious PDP administration of President Goodluck Jonathan”
“My experience is cognate, my capacity is proven, my nationalist disposition is established and my knowledge of our country is profound”
Speaking on his economic agenda for the country, he disclosed that he will anchor his development plans on Industrialization, talent and innovation, Science and Technology
He noted that promotion of industrialization at various scales, including large, medium and small scales, will drastically reduce importation, improve local production and strengthen the Naira.
“We shall promote micro, small and medium enterprises. Our policy on this shall segment the enterprises according to their sectors e.g., technical, hybrid, recreation, instructional etc and support them with training, marketing, technology, start-up funds”
