As the former secretary to the government of the federation, Mr. Anyim Pius Anyim begins mobilisation for his 2023 presidential bid, a group called South East Democratic Civil Society Coalition (SEDSOC) has come out openly to reject his candidature.
National coordinator of the coalition, Mr. Willy Ezugwu said in a statement that Anyim’s endorsement by persons including the former senate president, Mr. Adolphus Wabara and senate minority leader, Mr. Enyinnaya Abaribe, both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, is “hasty and self-serving,” and demanded immediate withdrawal of the endorsement.
“The South East has eminently qualified persons capable of transforming Nigeria if given the chance by the electorate to serve as President in 2023.
“To this end, we view Anyim’s endorsement as too hasty and self-serving. Those clamouring for him to run for the presidency chose to jump the gun in what can only be interpreted as self-serving and an attempt to stampede the South East bloc into their own private agenda.
“How Abaribe, who is one of our own, joined the bandwagon of some selfish South East politicians to engage in the controversial outing, is shocking and disappointing,” the statement reads.
Specifically, the group demanded that Abaribe should immediately withdraw his endorsement, insisting: “Whatever happened between Anyim and the politicians is a nullity and does not reflect the mood of southeast people.”
Ezugwu stated that south east leaders were already holding consultations across party lines party lines to shop for the best, who would not only represent the interest of Ndigbo, but also has the capacity to carry along all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, tribe or political leaning.
“Ndigbo are not ready to mess up the opportunity to present our best to Nigerians, as many prominent persons are being consulted before zeroing on one or two candidates among those interested in contesting the position from the zone.
“The South East Democratic Civil Society Coalition (SEDSOC) is vehemently opposed to the hasty endorsement of Anyim Pius Anyim for president of Nigeria in 2023,” the Coalition stated.
