‘It’s not APC’s fault PDP didn’t zone presidency to South-East’ — Anyim
Former Senate President Pius Anyim has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not be held responsible for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) inability to zone its presidential ticket to the South-East in prior election cycles.
Anyim expressed his views during a discussion on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Monday, addressing the ongoing zoning debate that has excluded the South-East since Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999. He underscored that he believes South-East candidates can only secure the presidency through forming alliances with other regions.
“If the PDP had been honorable enough to zone to the South-East, it would have stimulated the necessary sentiments that would help us defeat any other candidate,” Anyim remarked. He added that from the northern perspective, the current rotation policy still reflects a commitment to the South.
Anyim advised that the South-East should concentrate on building political alliances with other regions to enhance its prospects for presidential candidacy. He disclosed that this strategic thinking played a key role in his decision to join the APC after spending nearly a year considering his options.
“It took me about a year to join the APC. But when I assessed the situation, I realized that our primary interest as aspirants should be our zone,” he said. Anyim concluded that the APC is better positioned to serve the long-term political interests of the South-East.
He further explained that no candidate from the South-East could succeed without external alliances. “There is no amount of effort from each and every one of us that will make it possible for us to become president if we do not have an alliance with other regions,” he emphasized.
Regarding the current political landscape, Anyim acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s successful election from the South-West and affirmed that he is entitled to pursue a second term. “Certainly, the president has secured his position for the South-West, and he’s entitled to a second term,” Anyim said, predicting that after Tinubu’s term, the presidency would likely rotate to the North, and subsequently back to the South.
Anyim reiterated the importance of the South-East forging relationships across the country rather than seeking the presidency in isolation. “You need to support others so that they can support you,” he concluded.
