By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – Former President of the Senate and one time Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has said that he wants to be President of Nigeria come 2023 not merely on account of his Igbo origin, but essentially because he understands what Nigeria’s problems are and considers himself capable of proffering solutions.
Senator Anyim made this assertion in an interview with a Lagos based online newspaper, The Niche.
According to the Ebonyi State born politician: “I decided to contest the 2023 presidential election not because I am from the Southeast but because, first, I am a Nigerian politician who has been in government and who understands what the problems are and so can find solutions to them. I am also that Nigerian Politician that is at home in every part of the country – North, East, West and South.
“I aspire to be president of Nigeria because I believe that by my experience, what I know about Nigeria, my very deep knowledge of the country, I will be able to run an inclusive government that will build consensus, restore peace, refocus Nigeria and make the country a place that all of us will be proud of.
“So, I believe that the challenges of today are actually a matter of leadership and I will provide that leadership. I will give every segment of this country comfort. I will provide a leadership that will understand how to wield our diversities into an asset.
“I think that management of our diversities is actually central to the success of the country and I have interacted with various segments of the country. I have participated in running government that affected every part of the country and I know the needs of our diverse groups and I know how to put it together and do a policy thrust that will build a Nigeria of our dream.”
On the possible challenge of zoning in his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that is yet to zone its presidential slot for 2023 general election, he said: “It is really not a matter of zoning. I think for 2023, Nigerians should look forward to the best that can refocus the country, reposition the country and build consensus and heal the wounds. So, I think certainly, zoning wouldn’t be a serious challenge.
“The first issue to resolve and agree on is competence, capacity, capability and ability to run an effective, efficient and inclusive government. And what we are saying is that even when you zone, you should be able to find such a person from where you are zoning to.”
Speaking further on his take on zoning, Anyim said, “Well, let me answer you the way I said it recently. Zoning or no zoning, for me, it is really not a matter of politics but a matter of equity.
“And for someone like me who has come forward to aspire, zoning or no zoning, I will run. So, I don’t see zoning or no zoning being a challenge to the party.
“The candidates should run on their own steam but for purposes of equity, we should know that constitutionally, we recognise the fact that there should be Federal Character.
“However, let me say that when the PDP set up a zoning committee, the party was specific that the mandate of the committee was restricted to zoning the party offices. So, the issue of zoning the elective offices could come later. So, whether the party will still zone or not, I don’t think it is any issue whatsoever. It wouldn’t affect the fortunes of the party in any way whatsoever.”
Asked wether he favours competence over zoning, the former SGF was emphatic in his response as he exclaimed: “Sure! I do!”
He went further to argue that “if zoning promotes mediocrity, it is not helping the system. It doesn’t certainly help the nation. However, that is not to say that when you zone, you won’t get competent people from wherever you zone to.”