Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has welcomed the former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his decision to join the ruling party would further spur development in the South-East region and Nigeria in general.

Anyim, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) formally defected to APC in Ebonyi State on Saturday and was received by the party’s National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

In a statement by Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Sunday, the Deputy Speaker, who personally graced the event, said having served as Senate President in the Legislature and SGF under the Executive Arm of government, Anyim was bringing his great wealth of experience to bear in the progress and development of the nation.

Kalu was quoted as saying: “It is my pleasure to welcome my big brother, the former Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, to our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This decision is indeed a step in the right direction for the future of the Southeast and our nation, Nigeria.

 

“With your experience and leadership, I believe that this step will inspire other leaders to join hands in unity for the growth and development of our nation. Welcome to APC, Distinguished Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim.”

On his part, the APC national chairman Ganduje described the coming of Anyim to the ruling party as a huge blessing owing to his wealth of experience.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the APC National Chairman, Edwin Olofu, said Ganduje, who personally received the former Senate President alongside other defectors into the party, expressed delight over the development.

“Today I’m elated to receive such an important personality to our party, I want to assure you on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Timubu that you are welcome to the largest political party in black and white Africa. Be rest assured that we will give you equal opportunity like old members of our party so that you can come to the table with your huge experience and followership,” he assured.

Ganduje further insisted that the South-East geo-political zone can not continue to be in the opposition, urging the region to join the mainstream politics.

In his remarks, Senator Anyim revealed his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, has resolved to collapse its structures to the APC.