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Ahead of the general elections, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim has said the spirit behind the inclusion of zoning in the Peoples Democratic Party’s constitution must be respected.
Anyim who while addressing the Senator Iyorchia Ayu led National Working Committee, NWC of his choice to contest the Presidential ticket of the Party also said from his vantage positions he had held in the past, he understands the challenges confronting the nation and has clarity of what the solutions could be.
He said he is equipped with the pathway to rebuilding and refocusing the country on the part of growth, peace and prosperity if elected as president of Nigeria.
On zoning, Senator Anyim appealed to the NWC and the leadership of the party not to jettisoned zoning in the party because it is very fundamental.
“If I appear before you today without touching on the raging issues of zoning in our party, my presentation will not be complete. As a true party man, I will abide by the decision of the party. However, I would want to put the following on record: Democracy thrives on three ‘certainties’: Certainty of tenure, Certainty of structure and Certainty of process.
“At anytime any of these ‘certainties’ is no longer guaranteed, democracy will corrupt justice and enthrone inequity. Accordingly, my appeal is that zoning being a fundamental principle of our party should not be jettisoned.
“Democracy, being a system of rules and order, depends on strong institutions for its sustenance and success. When a system can no longer defend its rules, it will enthrone the reign of might as against the rule of law. My appeal is that PDP should defend Sec. 7 (3) (c) of its constitution.
“I seek your prayers and partnership on this collective journey. I trust that I can count on your support and goodwill at all times. Together, we shall make Nigeria great again.”
According to him, “That never before in our history has our nation been as divided as it is today, along the lines of ethnicity and religion. That separatist agitations have become a national problem. Boko Haram – Islamic State, IPOB – Biafra State, Igboho – Oduduwa State.”
Anyim said kidnapping and banditry have become choice occupations in Nigeria.
In his words, “That at the root of all the agitations are bad governance, discrimination, nepotism, mediocrity, and denial of the dividends of democracy.
“That non state actors have unhindered access to superior arms to confront, and in some cases, overpower state actors.
“That the capacity of the state to protect lives and property has been severely weakened.
“That poverty, hunger and deprivation have sapped the self-confidence of our citizens, weakened their faith in the country and eroded their sense of patriotism.”
In his short speech, Senator Iyorchia Ayu said the national working committee has no preferred candidate among the aspirants and appealed to them to use their consultations within to unify the party.