A former Senate President and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anyim Pius Anyim, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday.
Anyim’s defection came after previous public criticism of the PDP, including when he lambasted the PDP for what he described as its “arrogance” and mishandling of internal party affairs.
In March 2024, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and PDP presidential aspirant slammed the then Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee of the party for suspending him for anti-party activities after he openly admitted and defended his support for an opposition candidate in the March 18 governorship election in Ebonyi State.
Anyim had backed APC’s Francis Nwifuru ahead of the election, basing his decision on an “existing charter of equity” which prescribes rotation of the governorship position among three political zones in the state.
The former SGF had complained that it was unfair for the party to pick a governorship candidate from a zone where then incumbent governor, Dave Umahi, hailed from. Umahi occupied the office for eight years.
“It smacks of arrogance for the NWC to put up a bold face instead of showing remorse and being sober for leading the party to such colossal loss in the 2023 general elections, thereby dashing the hopes and expectations of party members and indeed Nigerians,” the former SGF said in a personally signed statement.
“It is clear that arising from the leadership style of the NWC, many members, intentionally and proudly, worked against the party including members of the NWC. Therefore, it is a display of innate cowardice for NWC to choose soft targets to suspend and fear those that daily demonize them,” he had said.
Speaking on Anyim’s defection, the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Edwin Olofu, described the move as “a huge blessing.”
Ganduje had formally received Anyim to the ruling party during a ceremony in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.
“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 Chairman also called on leaders of the South-East geo-political region to join mainstream politics, stating that the region could not continue to remain in the opposition.
Also reacting to Ayim’s defection on his official X page, the Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, wrote, “I was delighted to join our National Chairman,H.E Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, at the APC Southeast Stakeholders Meeting in Ebonyi State to welcome former Senate President, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, to our great party.”