According to Punch Newspaper, Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, has officially announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The declaration took place during the Grand Finale of the APC Local Government election Campaign at Pa Oruta Ngele Township in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, on Saturday.
Anyim was joined by a substantial group of supporters and notable figures from various political backgrounds, including former state and National Assembly members, former Labour Party gubernatorial candidate Edwin Nkwegu, Senator Obinna Ọgba, as well as former national and state assembly candidates.
The announcement was met with a warm reception from APC’s leadership, including the National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Minister of Works, David Umahi. State Chairman Stanley Meghan and other prominent party members were also present to welcome the newcomers into the fold.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Works, David Umahi, praised Anyim for his support during the 2023 elections, emphasizing the appropriateness of his decision to formally join the APC. Umahi took the opportunity to express gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his personal assistance during legal challenges faced by Umahi upon joining the APC, recounting how Tinubu provided critical support during a meeting with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The defection of Anyim, a significant political figure in Ebonyi State and beyond, marks a notable shift in the state’s political landscape ahead of upcoming elections. His decision, alongside the endorsement from other political figures and supporters, underscores the evolving dynamics within Nigerian politics, particularly in the Southeast region.
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.”
