MY STAND ON ZONING THE 2021 ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNORSHIP
Press Briefing by Dr. Chike Obidigbo, the then Anambra North Consensus Candidate for Anambra State 2013 Gubernatorial Election, on the raging debate of which zone to produce the next governor in 2021.
“War create bizarre allies, while peace itself could be divisive” – Ian Rankin.
I restrained myself ever since the debate on which senatorial zone of Anambra State should be supported to produce the next governor to succeed Governor Willie Obiano in 2021.
Within the space of time that I adopted the ‘siddon look’ approach; I have heard forceful arguments of those in support of zoning the governorship slot to Anambra South in 2021, and those of the opponents of zoning.
As a strong advocate, deeply involved in the agitation for zoning during the build up to 2013 governorship election, I feel that I should add my voice to the current debates and discussions on zoning in Anambra State.
Some of my allies and supporters have tried to adduce reasons, saying that I should not involve myself in the raging debates based on what transpired at the end of our, ‘All roads should lead to North’ campaign in 2013 for zoning the governorship to Anambra North.
I was reminded that majority of the current aspirants, jostling for power shift to the South, actually did not believe in zoning, since they participated in the previous elections, against the aspirants and contestants from Anambra North. They include Chukwuma Soludo, Andy Ubah, Obinna Uzor, Barth Nwibe, George Moghalu, Goddy Ezeemo, JohnBosco Onunkwo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Ifeanyi Ubah and several other not-too-well-known aspirants who did not see good reasons for the zoning arrangement.
But, I recall that our forefathers used to say that an elder should not be around while a goat delivers on a tether. It is the wisdom in that saying and my position as the Chairman of Osisioma Foundation that prompted me to speak out, and state my stand on the issue of zoning the 2021 governorship slot in Anambra State. We are not all supposed to participate in the naked dance of greed, intolerance and impertinence.
HOW ZONING CAME INTO ANAMBRA STATE
In 1999 when Nigeria began the journey to constitutional democracy through the fourth republic, Anambra State elected Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju from Ihiala as governor. Due to internal misunderstandings within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform Mbadinuju was elected, coupled with the treacherous schemes of a few slave masters to control the party’s internal mechanism, Mbadinuju could not get a second term ticket like his colleagues elsewhere.
The political machinations in PDP threw up Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, who got into office on May 29, 2003. Through the instrumentality of law, Mr. Peter Obi, the 2003 governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), reclaimed his mandate as the rightful winner of the election. Obi was sworn into office as the third governor of Anambra State on March 17, 2006. At this point APGA, still under the control of the supreme Igbo Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was the political wing of the entire Igbo nation, before Sir Victor Umeh and his co-travelers converted it to the political wing of the Roman Catholic Church for his selfish reasons. This, unfortunately, became the turning point of Igbo political disintegration, and the planting of stupid discord into the once politically well bonded people. This ill conceived incursion of Religion into politics broke the peaceful coexistence amongst brethren. This menace has since remained.
Due to a combination of factors, including his performance in office and the influence of the then Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Peter Obi expectedly won a second term mandate, to complete his constitutionally sanctioned maximum eight-year tenure. Anambra People willingly gave Peter the votes he needed to complete his second tenure.
However, before the commencement of his 2nd term, religious denominational issues had surreptitiously crept into the politics of Anambra State, leading to the criminally lopsided distribution of opportunities and social amenities.
Even at that Obi still secured votes from over 80% of Anglican voters, mostly in the believe that this should be reciprocated. At some point, Obi stated that Anambra State belonged to everyone, as such that the rotation of key political offices would make for peaceful and equitable coexistence among brothers.
His request was granted and the likes of Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Ichie Okwuchukwu Ezeaku, Dr. Tim Menakaya, Sir G.U. Okeke, Chief Raymond Obieri, Chief Anayo Nwandu, Emma Bishop Okonkwo alongside several other Anglicans, mobilized the Anglican Communion for his electoral victory. Obi succeeded, but the other part of the bargain has remained illusory.
Furthermore, based on what transpired across political party lines during the 2003, 2007 and 2010 governorship elections, especially the 2010 PDP governorship primary, when about 47 aspirants contested for the party’s ticket, stakeholders expressed dismay at the huge amount of money Anambra citizens were spending during elections. Needless to say that a greater percentage of the money was spent on servicing mainly northern Nigeria political “King makers”, party chieftains from other parts of the country, settlement of various security outfits, paying for endless litigations, with criminal bribery of judicial officers, and of course, equipping political miscreants and jobbers.
Mr. Peter Obi should be appreciated for his stand and boldness that saw to the successful implantation of the zoning method in Anambra State.
Having come to this juncture, my support for the zoning plan rests squarely on the serious economic benefits for the state, notably, the ability of zoning to extinguish or significantly reduce rancour and bitterness. It would also eliminate all wild animalistic tendencies among politicians during elections. Zoning will help bring out the best candidate from any part of the state, since people are generally better known from their home bases. Finally, it will make for the even distribution of social amenities, and reduce feelings of deprivation with its attendant consequences.
Sister States of Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, even the South/South states have been reaping the great benefits of zoning. Why must Anambra State live through constant and unending rifts and political pandemonium? As Mr. Peter Obi once asked: Are we cursed, or are we the cause? Must we always detest orderliness in our activities? Why have we allowed imported religious colorations to becloud and overshadow our local Igbo philosophy of ‘Onye Aghana Nwanneya.’
WAY FORWARD:
At the threshold of the completion of Obiano’s eight (8) years in office as governor, it is obvious that Anambra State has come back to similar juncture when Peter Obi was rounding off his eight (8) years in office.
Traditional rulers have spoken. Opinion and religious leaders have lent their voices on the matter. Although the matter is specifically a political decision better handled by political parties, the issue of fairness, equity and morality should come into play on the issue of zoning or no zoning, given the present state of our society and economy.
In summary, I am of the firm belief and conviction that Anambra 2021 governorship should be ceded to Anambra South Senatorial zone. This will promote brotherly love, unity and progress. My vote for Anambra South is also informed by the following realities:
- Anambra South would have waited for 19 years, spanning the 11 years Ngige and Obi served as governors from Central and 8 years of Obiano from the North.
- Granted that Anambra South had produced governors in the past, it is crystal clear that exigencies of party politics did not allow the zone a full stretch of two-term governorship mandate at any point.
- The current deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, hails from Anambra Central and that fact should exclude Anambra Central, just as Anambra North must also excuse itself for the sake of fairness.
- Since the three political zones are not equally endowed, thought must be spared for the weaker brethren. Competence does not only reside with numbers or financial capacities, it could be found anywhere. I speak for our North.
Finally, it is my considered view that since peace must come through love, justice and equity, all political parties should select their standard bearers from Anambra South Senatorial District come 2021 election.
In addition to the full-scale adoption of this noble zoning plan, Anambra people should resolve to curtail excessive and debilitating religious incursions and distractions in our political discussions and activities. Denominational rancour has only succeeded in severing what binds us together as a people.
Let us learn to put real democracy into effect with full complement of citizen inclusion.
Thank you all. God bless Anambra State, the light of the nation!
Dr. Chike Obidigbo JP
