Former Senate President Anyim Pius has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Anyim announced the defection on Saturday at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, during the grand finale of the APC local government election campaign.
On hand to receive them were the APC’s national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State and minister of works, David Umahi, state chairman of the party, Stanley Meghan and other party chieftains.
Speaking at the event, Umahi commended Anyim for all the support he gave to APC during the 2023 elections, adding that it is only right he formally joins the party.
Umahi thanked President Bola Tinubu for all the support given to him when he faced legal battles after joining the party.
He said, “President Tinubu called me to come and see him, and when I came, he carried me in his car personally to meet a senior advocate of Nigeria who handled our case.”
The minister noted that he faced serious attacks and conditions for deciding to join the APC but is grateful that today the party has become the beautiful bride of all in the state and southeast.
Umahi noted that the president is very much interested in the development of the southeast and needs the support of the people to succeed.
He further revealed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road will have a spot that will pass through Ebonyi, adding that other work is ongoing on other major roads in the region.
He urged the two governors and other party leaders in the region to work harder to bring on board every stakeholder in the region to the party so that the region would take its rightful place in national politics.
In his remarks, Uzodimma noted that the recent ruling of the Supreme Court will strengthen democracy in the country.
The Imo governor urged youths to shun all forms of protests against the government of President Tinubu.
Also speaking, Anyim assured the APC national chairman and other party leaders that Ebonyi has always been united under one political family.
Among those who joined Anyim in moving to the APC are former state and federal lawmakers, former governorship candidate of Labour Party in the state, Edwin Nkwegu; and Senator Obinna Ogba.
