Written By: PETER NWASIKE

There is an adage that “Peace Is Better Than Strife”. That is why anybody who is in leadership position always advocates for peace and equity, because, “What is good for the Goose is also good for the Gander”.

In 2009, when former Governor Peter Obi was campaigning for second term which started in 2010 and ended in 2014, he came to Anambra North Senatorial Zone at Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area. There, the people of the said Anambra North complained that since the creation of the State in 1991, no one from the zone had governed the state.

They argued that at creation, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, from Igboukwu, Aguata LGA, Anambra South Zone, was Governor from 1992 to 1993. Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju from Uli, Ihiala LGA, Anambra South Zone, was governor from 1999 to 2003. Dr. Chris Ngige, from Alor, Idemili South LGA, Anambra Central Zone, was governor from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Peter Obi, from Agulu, Anaocha LGA, Anambra Central Zone, was Governor from 2006 to 2014.

Ndi Anambra North asserted that the condition for supporting Mr. Obi’s second term was that their indigene should succeed him in 2014. Obi agreed, hence he won the second term. For equity, justice and fairness, his successor, Chief Willie Obiano, emerged from the North Senatorial Zone. Even in 2017, Obi maintained the zoning principle. He chose a candidate from the Anambra North Zone to contest.

As it is said that an adult does not stay in the house, while the mother-goat gives birth while tied to the tether, so, the Royal Fathers of the State, gave their fatherly advice, and urged politicians to maintain the zoning formula. In this case, when Willie Obiano from Anambra North Zone, must have completed 8 years in 2022, his successor should come from the Anambra South Zone. After the eight years of Anambra South, the Governorship should rotate to Anambra Central Senatorial Zone.

Ohaneze Ndigbo, Anambra State Branch, the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), all endorsed the rotational system. So, with this development, the Governorship zoning has become a convention in Anambra State, and should be obeyed to the latter.

Governor Obiano’s fantastic achievements have proved that every zone has tested and trusted candidates who can perform at any given opportunity. Today, Obiano has performed beyond expectation.

His system of good governance has blossomed economic progression in Anambra. His expert security architecture, which guaranteed safety of life and property, has attracted numerous investors to the tune of over five billion dollars to the state. His diversification of the economy into agriculture has made Anambra a great producer of the most staple food items. Anambra Rice has dwarfed foreign rice in our markets.

He attracted the Central Bank of Nigeria and they pumped seven billion naira into the State, through rice farms, just as Obiano’s Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) helped local farmers with two billion naira. All these combined efforts have made Anambra superior in agricultural produce in Nigeria.

When Obiano came on board in 2014, Anambra local farmers were producing 80,000 metric tons of rice, while consumption was 320,000 metric tons yearly. He introduced new system which made production to rise to 500,000 metric tons in 2019. Thus, Anambra has food sufficiency and surplus for export.

Other areas of good governance are 20 million naira choose your project to each town, with native contractor and labour so that money can circulate to villagers. It is now at the third stage. There are also improved health care, buttressed with Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) and quality Education for all.

So, Obiano’s achievements have vindicated the wisdom of advocates of governorship rotation system. It has proved the biblical adage that “A Redeemer Can Come From Nazareth”. Political skeptics should, therefore, hold their peace because there are many potential quality leaders from the Anambra South Zone.

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