Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the defection of Sen Pius Anyim to the APC, as “a huge blessing”.
Ganduje’s excitement was captured in a statement by Mr Edwin Olofu, his Chief Press Secretary.
The statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, quoted Ganduje as saying that Anyim’s wealth of experience would be beneficial to the APC.
Ganduje had earlier received Anyim, who defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), into the APC at a ceremony in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital.
“I’m elated to receive such an important personality into our party.
“I want to assure you, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, that you are welcome to the largest political party in Africa.
“Be assured that we will give you equal opportunity like old members of our party so that you can come to the table with your huge experience and followership,” Ganduje had said.
The APC leader said that the South-East geo-political region could not continue to be in the opposition, urging the region to join mainstream politics.
APC begins moves to de-marginalise Igbos – Ganduje
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdulahi Ganduje, has said the party has initiated moves to de-marginalise Igbos to place them in the limelight of national politics.
Ganduje made the assertion on Sunday during the APC South East zonal meeting in Abakaliki, noting that Igbos had shown massive support to the party and the President Bola Tinubu led administration presently.
The APC national chairman said that though a line must be drawn between marginalisation and low performance of the south east in the APC, the party had decided to break the vicious cycle of marginalisation.
“The present appointments offered the zone by President Bola Tinubu’s administration is heartwarming and with more involvement in the party’s affairs, more would be achieved.
“We must break this cycle of marginalisation with determination, unity and total support to the party and President Bola Tinubu led administration, he said.
He noted that Ebonyi had followed Imo’s trail in massively promoting the party’s activities and thanked Gov. Francis Nwifuru for sustaining the party’s ideals in the state.
“The challenge before us presently is how to claim Anambra, Enugu and Abia and must get all stakeholders together to achieve this goal.
Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi thanked the party’s leaders for honouring the meeting in the state noting that the party is presently rooted in the state and south east.
Nwifuru noted that Ebonyi had a policy of inclusiveness which had made all stakeholders in the state to be presently under the APC roof.
“The massive defection of opposition stakeholders to APC on July 13 attests to the fact that persuasion works more than bickering and fighting,” he said.
Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo in his remark, said it is an ugly coincidence that the APC is ruling Nigeria in these hard times occasioned by the world economic meltdown.
The Chairman of the South East Governors Forum said that many citizens of the country experience excruciating hardship with some going into penury.
“People have to know that there is global economic meltdown with some currencies exchanging 15,000 and 20,000 to one dollar.
“I however, have hope that if the tested policies of President Bola Tinubu administration, are well implemented, Nigerians would receive the much needed succour., he said.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu in his remarks, urged people of the south east zone to identify with the federal government’s efforts to de-marginalise the zone.
“President Bola Tinubu has given Ndigbo more than the vote cast for him during the elections.
“It is presently left for us to repay him for his good works because when ones shows appreciation, he gets more,” he said.
He noted that the president offered Igbos lucrative positions in his government as high- ranking ministers, deputy speaker of the house of representatives among others.
“The process for the south east development commission bill which would solve the numerous challenges confronting Igbos, has been finalised and awaiting the president’s accent , he said.
