The umbrella association of South East pro-democracy groups, the South East Democratic Civil Society Coalition (SEDSOC), have rejected “purported endorsement of Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation for president by some southeast politicians”, including former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Daily Post had reported that Wabara, Abaribe and other notable politicians on Monday had tipped Pius for president.
The Coalition, in a statement signed by Chief Willy Ezugwu, its National Convener, described the endorsement of Anyim as “hasty and self-serving”.
It further demanded the instant withdrawal of the endorsement by Abaribe, whom the Coalition described as “one of our own.”
The statement partly read, “the South East of Nigeria has eminently qualified persons who are capable of transforming Nigeria if given a chance by the electorate to serve as President of Nigeria in 2023.
“To this end, we view the so-called endorsement of Anyim Pius Anyim as too hasty and self-serving by those who chose to jump the gun in what can only be interpreted as self-serving by those who attempted to stampede the South East bloc into their own private agenda.
“What is shocking is how Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who is our own, joined the bandwagon of certain selfish southeast politicians to engage in the controversial outing.”
It added, “Whatever transpired between Anyim and the named politicians is a nullity and does reflect the mood of southeast people.
“The South East Democratic Civil Society Coalition (SEDSOC) is vehemently opposed to the hasty endorsement of Anyim for president of Nigeria in 2023.”
According to the Coalition, leaders in the South Eastern part of Nigeria are in the process of consultations across political parties to pick the best who cannot only represent the interest of Ndigbo but has the capacity and broad mind to carry along all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion or political lineage.
