By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief)
Renowned Professor of Biology and Parasitology and erudite technocrat, Prof. Anya .O. Anya, on Friday, offered fervent prayers for Presidential aspirant, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, for him to scale through his party primary and ultimately clinch victory in the next year's presidential poll.
Professor Anya also promised Anyim of his total support and assistance in which ever area he would need his help in the course of his presidential campaigns.
The former Senate President and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Pius Anyim, visited Prof. Anya at his Lagos residence on Friday, February 4, 2022, in the course of his national consultations where Anya made the pledge to him.
Anya, a pioneer Director General of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and a 1992 Nigerian National Medal of Merit Winner, however told Senator Anyim that “We will pray for you. Whatever you want me to do, I am available to help.” He also urged Anyim to carry along all Nigerians, including fellow aspirants, in his quest for the highest office in the land.
Anyim, on his part, urged the eminent Professor to strongly align with the strident calls for the 2023 Presidential power to rotate from the North to the South of Nigeria.
The aspirant specifically exhorted Prof. Anya to speak in favour of the general clamour for power shift to the South in 2023 in the interest of equity, justice and fair play.
Senator Anyim said: "I have come to consult with you on my aspiration. I am also here to persuade you to raise your voice as a moral authority on the issue of rotation. What is good for the North is also good for the South. I have also come to ask for your prayers,”
However, the respected Professor Anya who was visibly impressed with Anyim's recent political moves, observed that Nigeria's situation, over the years, leaves much to be desired. He maintains that every rescue effort to salvage the country requires every citizen's joint efforts.
"One of the tragedies of where we are as a country is that the North is where it is now – a situation of total breakdown of law and order. The leadership of the North is not in a situation to solve its problems. There is no part of Nigeria that doesn’t have a problem and no part left alone can solve its problems. We need a collegiate approach in seeking solution to the country’s problems. But there is so much ignorance and prejudice and people have taken positions without knowing what the issues are,” Prof. Anya noted.
Senator Pius Anyim had equally visited some notable chieftains of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West zone like Chief Olabode George, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Oshodi and others. The former leader of the Nigeria's National Assembly also visited some notable yoruba leaders including the Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and the traditional military General of the yoruba race, Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of yorubaland.
Senator Anyim, this weekend, continues his consultation efforts to other leaders of yorubaland in Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states. The consultation with the leaders and stakeholders of Nigeria and the PDP is ahead of Anyim's formal declaration of his presidential intent in Abuja, on Saturday, February 19, 2022, being his 61th birthday. NNL.
