President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Wednesday received former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, who recently decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Anyim, who was also Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) was led to the Presidential Villa by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo state, who chairs the South-East Governors Forum and Progressive Governors Forum, and Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents after a meeting with the president, Anyim said he joined the APC to help address the multifaceted challenges facing the country and its people.
He said the country was passing through turbulent times and it was the duty of all patriots to ensure that the country continues to have a peaceful atmosphere.
“I have a determination to ensure that the country moves on the right path and I should be available to contribute my quota.
“Contributing quota does not necessarily mean to work, but to engender a conducive atmosphere for progress. I’m not looking for work, but there is need that, given the challenges the country is facing today, that we all need to put all the hands on deck to make the country move forward.
“Certainly, the country is passing through turbulent times and it is the duty of every patriot, if you have nothing to add, ensure that you contribute to the peaceful atmosphere that will engender progress in the country,” he said.
Also speaking, Governor Hope Uzodinma described Anyim as a big fish, stressing that the APC was already ripping the benefits of his defection.
“We have started harvesting from it. If you recall, only few days ago, there was local government election in Ebonyi state. And in that election, it was like a one party movement. The entire local governments and councils were won by the All Progressives Congress,” he said.