Written By : Arinze Akabogu

Although 2021 is still far away, nevertheless, intense political activities are already in top gear in Anambra. The rather too early campaign is obviously aimed at capturing the governorship seat in the State.   

However, the zoning controversy currently raging in the State among political elites is totally uncalled for. Anambra has witnessed unprecedented socio-economic and political transformation and stability, which was engendered by the thirteen years of uninterrupted APGA administration. Hence, the State has suddenly become so attractive, a beacon of hope and a beautiful bride for all politicians. 

On the other hand, Ndi Anambra, who are now wiser, would definitely beam their search light on all potential candidates, irrespective of their political plat forms, with a view to making the right choice at the appropriate time. The era of god-fatherism is gone. All aspirants will be subjected to intense scrutiny before Ndi Anambra will make their final choice.   

It is regrettable that the opponents of the current zoning or rotational arrangement for the governorship position in Anambra State had argued basically on the premise that the arrangement is undemocratic and that there was no formal or written agreement by the people on the issue.

However, those who are opposed to the zoning arrangement should be reminded that the principle of justice, equity, fairness and good  conscience demands that people generally should be treated equally to enable them  have a sense of belonging in society. Should we now jettison the principle of rotation of political offices in the country, it then follows that Ndigbo have lost the moral ground to demand that the Presidency should be zoned to the long marginalized South East geo-political zone in 2023.

The people of the South East geo-political zone had for long been calling for the equitable distribution of all political positions or patronages in the country including the Presidency. The popular Igbo adage states that lack of justice, equity and fairness in the sharing of common assets breeds discord, distrust and crisis in any society.

One would make bold to state that the zoning arrangement for the governorship position had already taken root in the politics of the State. The South Senatorial zone was the first to occupy the governorship position in the State since the advent of the present political dispensation in the country. Former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju from the South Senatorial zone was at the helm of affairs in the State, from 1999 to 2003.

Thereafter, former Governor Chris Ngige from Anambra Central held sway for over three years, from 2003 to 2006 and was quickly followed by former Governor Peter Obi, also from Anambra Central, who governed for eight years, from 2006 to 2014. The incumbent Governor Willie Obiano from Anambra North Senatorial zone took over the mantle of leadership in 2014 and his tenure will end in March 2022, after eight years in office.   

Without mincing words, it is only fair and just that the South Senatorial zone should be allowed to produce the next Governor come 2021 in the interest of equity and good conscience. Nothing should be allowed to upset the noble zoning arrangement which had obviously brought enduring peace and stability in the State. 

Thus, Ndi Anambra must begin now to beam their search light on all the potential aspirants from Anambra South Senatorial zone, irrespective of their political party leanings with a view to making an informed choice at the appropriate time. What should be uppermost in the minds of Ndi Anambra is to choose a credible person with proven track record who will strive not only to consolidate the gains already made but surpass the enviable records of outstanding achievements

The would-be governorship aspirants from other two zones are enjoined to give peace a chance and drop their ambition in the mean time until the governorship position gets back to their zones in due course.

Finally, Ndi Anambra and all political parties should be guided and borrow a leaf from the recent political development in Imo State by pinching their tents with Anambra South Senatorial zone in the interest of justice, equity, fairness and good conscience. By so doing, Anambra State would indeed earn the popular appellation as the Light of the Nation.

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