- * Re-affirms Position That It's Turn Of South East
- Calls On Other Geopolitical Zones To Cooperate With Igbos On Presidency Quest
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief)
Nigeria's former number three citizen and frontline Presidential hopeful in the 2023 general elections, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, at the weekend, received the fatherly blessings of prominent Ijaw leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, in his aspiration to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari at the end of his tenure.
Anyim led a compact delegation of prominent leaders to the Asokoro, Abuja residence of the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, to share with him the joy of his speedy recovery from his recent illness and to also wish him and his family a Merry Christmas. Anyim also took the opportunity to consult Clark on the state of Nigeria and on his aspirations to become President in 2023.
Senator Pius Anyim Receiving Blessings From Chief Edwin Clark
Chief Clark who warmly received Senator Pius Anyim and his entourage on Friday, in the company of other respected Ijaw leaders like the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and Nigeria's former Ambassador to the Scandinavia countries, Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, commended Anyim for his thoughtfulness in coming to enquire about his well being.
The elder statesman used the opportunity of the visit to praise Anyim's courage and determination to seek the platform of the presidency to intervene in the numerous challenges besetting the country. He reminded the aspirant that at a certain point in the life of every nation, there is a need for patriots and well-meaning people of proven leadership competence to step forward and assume a rescue role in such a society.
Clarke however encouraged the former leader of Nigeria's parliament to remain focused in his aspiration and prayed for his success in his political odyssey. The Ijaw leader also reaffirmed his passionate belief in the principle of power rotation, especially to the South of Nigeria, after the Buhari Presidency, adding that for equity, justice, and full national integration to reign on the political space, the Igbos of the southeast zone, indeed, should be supported by all Nigerians to produce a competent President from the zone, to run the affairs of Nigeria, as president in 2023.
He enjoined Nigerians of other geo-political zones to endeavor to strengthen this spirit of equity and fair play, by generously supporting the vigorous presidential quest of the South East region in 2023, considering also that the zone had done the same to others, since the beginning of this democratic dispensation in 1999.
Chief E.K Clark informed his visitors that he had had a long-standing history of good relationships with Igbo political leaders, especially with those of the first and second republics, with who he said he had struck a good political understanding. He noted that he has come to observe in the Igbo people, their passion for unity and the progress of Nigeria, over the years.
Clarke urged Anyim and indeed other South East aspirants who may equally come up for the top job in the emerging weeks, to toe the enviable path of their political forebears in the overall interest and future of the country. He particularly expressed his confidence in the ability of Senator Pius Anyim, who he noted, has so far demonstrated strong and purposeful leadership in the past as Senate President, especially at a relatively young age, to manage a complex country like Nigeria, in 2023.
Clarke assured the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) of God's protection and blessings in his mission, praying for Anyim and charging him thus: “I encourage you and others to continue the task of persuading and reassuring other Nigerians to share that vision”.
Senator Anyim, though a renowned nationalist, but who currently appears to be the poster boy of South East quest for the presidency, in his response, however, thanked the 95-year-old Clark for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation during his courtesy visit. He thanked God Almighty for sparing the life of the elder statesman following his recent ill-health. Anyim however assured the Ijaw leader that he would still come back soon with a full delegation of his support team, to consult with Clark regarding his political aspiration for 2023. He expressed great delight in the cordial relationship and understanding that had existed between the Ijaw leader and the leaders and people of the southeast zone and prayed that such a relationship need to be sustained in the interest of the nation.
Anyim however explained to the First Republic Minister of Information that he is in the race for Nigeria's presidency because he has profound knowledge and understanding of the country's numerous challenges at this time and therefore possesses the ability and strong will to tackle them successfully.
Senator Anyim who is contesting for President on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), explained his visit to Chief E.K Clark thus: "I visited today (Friday, December 17, 2021) the elder statesman and leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, to share with him the joy of his speedy recovery from his recent illness and to also wish him and his family a Merry Christmas.
"He received me very warmly. I took the opportunity to consult him on the state of our nation and my plan for the future. And he was ecstatic about my aspiration. He offered me sincere and sound advice. His heartfelt desire for a Nigeria where justice, equity, fairness accommodation and inclusiveness reign moved me. He prayed for me from his heart. I cannot thank Chief E K Clark enough. With the prayers of Elder statesmen like Chief E K Clark and the will of Nigerians, I am confident, that a greater Nigeria is here.
"I thank God that Chief Edwin Clark will soon be 95 years old and yet he is blessed with phenomenal memory, lucid and curious mind, a benevolent heart, and boundless goodwill for all men.
"As always, he was most engaging in matters pertaining to the well-being of Nigeria and how we can build a consensus for a leadership that will ensure human and physical security and accelerated development of all parts of the country. He encouraged me to work hard with other leaders across the country to build consensus for equity and unity in Nigeria.
"He reaffirmed his passionate belief that the presidency of Nigeria in 2023 should come to the southern part of the country and indeed to the southeast zone. In that wise, he urged me and others to continue the task of persuading and reassuring other Nigerians to share that vision.
"I thank God for his health and will forever cherish his counsel and above all, I will dedicate myself with full enthusiasm and conviction to advance the vision of equity in Nigeria, the unity of our nation, the peace and prosperity of all citizens", said Anyim.
However, as customary in African culture and particularly in Ijaw customs and tradition, the elder statesman, Chief E.K Clark, offered gifts of kola nuts, wines, and other reception items to the former Senate President and his visiting team. NNL.
