Anyim Pius Anyim GCON is a Nigerian statesman who held the position of the 9th president of the Nigerian Senate from 2000 to 2003.
He served as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) during Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency.
Early life and Education
Anyim was born on February 19, 1961, in Ishiagu, a predominantly Catholic community in the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. He attended Ishiagu High School (St. John Bosco), the Federal School of Arts and Science, Aba, and later pursued studies at Imo State University, Uturu, from 1983 to 1987.
Career
For his Youth Service, he served as the Co-ordinator of the Youth Mobilisation Programme in Sokoto State. In 1992, Anyim assumed the role of Head of the Protection Department at the National Commission for Refugees in Abuja, where he provided legal services and political protection for refugees, leading him to travel extensively. In 1998, he joined the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) and won a Senate election, though the death of General Sani Abacha on June 8, 1998, resulted in the nullification of the outcome. During the transitional regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Anyim switched to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and successfully ran for the Senate again in 1999.
Anyim was elected into the Nigerian Senate in May 1999 and subsequently chosen by his colleagues as President of the Senate in August 2000, following the impeachment of Chuba Okadigbo. He held this position until May 2003. In May 2001, Anyim asserted the justification for the upper legislative house to investigate the activities of the Mines and Power Ministry during Chief Bola Ige’s tenure. In June 2002, an attempt led by Anyim to impeach President Olusegun Obasanjo failed. Anyim later clarified that while there were misunderstandings with President Obasanjo on certain issues, there was no conflict between them. In August 2002, he expressed opposition to all present office holders, including himself, seeking a second term. In November 2002, Anyim suspended Senator Arthur Nzeribe of Imo State indefinitely due to an allegation of a N22 million fraud, as Nzeribe was reportedly planning an impeachment motion against Anyim. Around the same time, following Anyim’s complaints about the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Senate established a committee to evaluate the commission’s continued relevance. In May 2003, Anyim cautioned an Abuja High Court judge, Justice Egbo Egbo, that the parliament held the power to order his arrest over his opposition to the passage of the anti-graft ICPC law by the Senate.
Anyim made the strategic decision not to seek reelection in 2003, recognizing that he would likely lose and forfeit his deposit under Obasanjo’s administration. Instead, he directed resources towards supporting ANPP candidates in Ebonyi State to challenge his own party. After leaving office, his private residence in Abuja was partially demolished for violating the Abuja master plan. During his tenure as Senate President, Anyim engaged in a fierce power struggle with Ebonyi State Governor Samuel Ominyi Egwu, resulting in heightened tensions in Anyim’s village, even to the point where a mock coffin allegedly representing him was paraded in Abakaliki, the state capital. As Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim had a strained relationship with Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi, leading to unrest in Anyim’s village and the exile of several residents. Appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan, Anyim was tasked with heading the Centenary celebration commemorating Nigeria’s proclamation as a nation by colonial Britain. In January 2008, Anyim contested for the Chairmanship of the PDP, receiving support from various quarters, including the Kaduna State chapter of the PDP, the League of Patriotic Lawyers, and the Peoples Democratic Party Youth Forum, but ultimately, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor was appointed as PDP chairman. In January 2010, Anyim led a delegation urging President Umaru Yar’Adua to transmit a letter of his incapacitation to the National Assembly to safeguard the nation’s democracy. He commended the Senate when they passed a resolution on February 9, 2010, making Vice President Goodluck Jonathan Acting President. In May 2011, Anyim was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Net Worth
Undisclosed