The pioneer National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-east and Abia State governorship candidate of the party in the last general election, Chief Nyerere Chinenye Anyim, has described the ministerial nominees from the zone as being among the best Nigeria can offer.
Anyim added that the party’s leadership in the zone would give full support to the nominees to enable them achieve the best for the country.
Speaking in an interview with journalists yesterday in Abuja, Anyim said what Nigerians expect from the ministerial team is nothing but hard work and selfless service to humanity.
“What the president has done is the best. We are talking about the likes of Senator Chris Ngige and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. You also talk about the nominee from Abia State. These are credible people, and I believe they will bring development to Nigeria and to Igbo land. The essence of politics is to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people and that’s what these people are bringing to the table,” he said.
The party chieftain said Nigerians should no longer give room for those who would play politics with the welfare of the people.
“We must differentiate between those who are coming to play politics and those who want to work. We are looking at people who are ready to come and make sacrifices. We are not looking at people who will come and play politics with the welfare of the people.
“Look at the antecedents of the people who have been nominated. They have track records. When people talk about the age of the ministerial nominees, I say it’s beyond that. Inasmuch as we wish that some younger people should be given the opportunity to serve this country, we should know something. There are other capacities where they can serve. We need these old men,” the APC chieftain said.
Against the background of concerns of imbalance that trailed the earlier appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC chieftain said the people of the zone should be assured that the area would get its fair share from the APC administration.
According to him, “I am not among those who were complaining about the appointments. What I still maintain is that the zone must get its due share no matter when it will come. When you look at the ratio of appointment that has been made, you can see that the zone has not been left behind.
“The issue is not about the number of appointments from a zone but what it was able do with such opportunity. In the past, the South-east never complained over appointments but what did they do with what they were given. What matters is the effectiveness to which the positions were put.
“I think these are credible people and I believe they are one of the best that the South-east can boast of, although we still have many qualified persons. I want us to get something straight, what is politics? It is all about working hard for the well-being of the people. Ministerial appointment is not for people who are coming to play politics, it is for those who are ready to work for the welfare of their people.”
While dismissing the criticism about the age range of the nominees, Nyerere said the older ministers will no doubt provide added value with inspired wisdom and experience. (Thisday)
