Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic
\nParty (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, said yesterday that he would show more
\nthan a passing interest in issues affecting the nation even though he had,
\nlast year, announced his withdrawal from active partisan politics.<\/p>\n
Anenih spoke when he received in audience in his Abuja residence the
\nProfessor Jerry Gana-led Strategy Review and Inter-Party Affairs
\nCommittee.\u00a0 The committee\u2019s mission was to present to him a copy of its
\nreport.<\/p>\n
He said the PDP and its leaders should not be embarrassed if they see him
\nembark on visits to either President Muhammadu Buhari or Vice President
\nYemi Osinbajo in order to meet minds on issues of national interest.
\nThe former BoT chairman restated his position, which he made last year at
\nthe public presentation of his book, that he would no longer be available
\nfor night political meetings but would not be hesitant to offer advice to
\nthe PDP if the party leaders decide to tap from his wealth of experience.
\nHe, however had harsh words for the party leaders whom he accused of
\npromoting their selfish interests, saying \u201cPDP is where it is today
\nbecause of selfishness on the part of its leaders, a vast majority of whom
\nwant to be either presidential candidate or national chairman of the
\nparty.\u201d
\nAnenih also slammed those who benefitted so much from the party and later
\ndefected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that was not the
\nbest was to reward a party that offered them its platform to actualize
\ntheir aspirations.
\n\u201cI believe in consistency.\u00a0 I joined party politics in 1978 and since
\nthen, I have never left any party that I joined for another. It is very
\nshameful that people would do that, particularly those who had benefitted
\nso much from the PDP,\u201d he said.
\nHe, however, wished the party well in its current effort to reorganize
\nitself, saying \u201cPDP has a chance to bounce back.\u201d
\nHe said he was happy that the former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan whom
\nhe advised a long time ago to help strengthen the party but was reluctant
\nto do so, has now expressed readiness to take up the challenge.
\nHe advised party leaders to support Jonathan in the task of reorganizing
\nand strengthening the party.
\nAnenih also underscored the necessity for state governors on the platform
\nof the party to support the party with funding, no matter how minimal.
\nHe tasked the party and its leaders to work harmoniously towards
\norganizing a credible national convention, pointing out that \u201cI want the
\nPDP to be strong and united.\u201d
\nStressing the importance of peace and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria,
\nAnenih urged all well-meaning Nigerians, regardless of party affiliations,
\nto pray for the good health of President Buhari so that he can quickly
\nreturn to drive the process of taking the nation out economic recession.
\nEarlier, Professor Gana said that the committee report would help to
\n\u201ceffectively revive, re-energise and remobilize the party.\u201d
\nThe committee comprises former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu,
\nSenator Ibrahim Idah, Professor Rufai Alkali, Dr Bawa Kasali, Senator
\nStella Omu, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, former Imo State governor, Chief
\nAchike Udenwa, Engineer Jide Adeniyi, Hon. Shehu Gabam, Hon Auwal Tukur
\nand Hon. Margareth Itcheen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, said yesterday that he would show more than a passing interest in issues…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-56144","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n