The appearance of former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and erstwhile national publicity secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, at the presidential Villa, Abuja, has fuelled speculations of their possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The two opposition leaders yesterday met with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
It was not clear if they were invited by the president who is currently consulting with prominent Nigerians.
Anyim served as SGF under former President Goodluck Jonathan. He walked into the Villa in the company of Metuh.
They told journalists after the meeting that they were impressed with the first steps of the president, saying there is hope for the country.
Anyim said though there were other heart-to-heart discussions, the visit was primarily to encourage and congratulate Tinubu on his inauguration and the successes he has achieved.
He said, “It was a great honour to pay courtesy to the president and congratulate him, first and foremost, for his successful inauguration as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also to encourage and congratulate him for the boldness he has taken so far. We had a whole lot of heart-t-o heart discussions, but primarily, it’s to congratulate him. Also, Metuh expressed confidence that the Tinubu administration will achieve national unity.
“We came to see the president, to commend him for his very good takeoff; the policies he has brought, his inclusiveness, and most of all to canvas for the idea of participatory governance, participatory democracy.
“We believe that for policies and programmes, there has to be options and alternatives for those programmes, but only when we are together can we achieve success. Our nation has bled for over eight years, but we believe that from now onwards, Mr President has shown the way that the country will come together and then we’ll be able to live happily.”
