Back from EFCC custody, Anyim declares for 2023 presidency

Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim has declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidency whether the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zone the slot to South-East or not.

Anyim’s declaration for the Presidency is coming days after he was released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) spent two days in EFCC custody where he was grilled by operatives over diversion of public funds.

He was released on Tuesday after he had spent two days in the custody of EFCC.

Now Anyim said he is ready for the presidential contest.

He spoke on Saturday in an interview with newsmen.

His words: “Posters of my presidential bid and agitations by groups for me to contest flooded the social media in 2020 and I disassociated myself from such calls.

“I felt that it was too early for such a declaration, to enable the present administration concentrate on governance.

“Such calls resurfaced in the early part of 2021 and I chose to be quiet over the issue.

“We currently have less than 18 months to the next elections, and I feel the time is ripe to indicate my interest,” Anyim said.

He said that the party was being repositioned.

The former SGF noted that the party’s national convention would signal the commencement of its political activities.

He said that the zoning committee instituted by the party was only saddled with zoning party positions and not other positions.

“Zoning of such positions was deferred but nothing stops any one from South-East zone from contesting the presidency even if it is not zoned to it.

“The most important thing is that the party’s national convention is a sort of rebirth for a group of people who have recovered from a setback.

“The party members are focused and determined,” he added.

Anyim said that in spite of the party’s seeming conflict with its former Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, he remained a friend to many members.

“He is particularly my friend and we do not have any problem with him.

“The issue is that the party needed to move but be assured that he is not going into wilderness,” Anyim said.