The ideology of zoning system which Peoples Democratic Party adopted after its formation in 1998 was as a result of political distrust among the different ethnic groups in Nigeria. The zoning principle therefore was considered a sure means to eliminate the seeming distrust among the political class in general and the different ethnic nationality in particular. The Northern region was considered to have a larger than life stranglehold on the sociopolitical economy of the Nigerian state at the detriment of other component regions. It became expedient to fashion a far reaching strategy to rekindle trust and eliminate the seeming marginalisation of the other regions.
The prospects of zoning political offices amongst the component regions of Nigeria in our nascent democracy was considered to breed more political inclusion than domination.
Having tested the waters of political zoning at the national level with good results, the political class enamored by the overwhelming pros of the ideology decided to try it in their respective states. In Enugu state for example, some pundits have argued that acts of providence rather than any conscious zoning arrangement was responsible for the selection or election of political officers since the birth of the 4th republic. Yet, some of these pundits including the opponents of zoning have not advanced any reasonable logic to step side the zoning ideology. If for anything, some of those working against the entrenhment of the zoning principles are today beneficiaries of the same system. Majority of the opponents of zoning would not have been where they are today if political positions were not zoned to their group or cultural zones. Just as distrust and political domination by some seemingly favored region ever happened at the national level, so it cascaded to most states and local governments.
Zoning prospects have therefore helped every power bloc to have sense of belonging where it is properly applied. It has ensured that every zone is represented in the power sharing equation in the state.
It is on record that Enugu State PDP chapter has embraced the zoning principle for its many advantages. At the inception of the 4th republic while taking cue from the national level, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu East) began what could be termed a robust zoning trajectory in Enugu state today. At the end of his eventful tenure, Barr. Sullivan Chime of Enugu West took over from him. Governor Chime was to consolidate on this arrangement after his tenure by picking his successor from Enugu North, the zone of our current amiable governor, Rt. Honorable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. I’m certain that Ugwuanyi who is not given to frivolity will eventually take the next baton of leadership of Enugu to the East so that the clockwise arrangement is maintained. It is actually against natural phenomenon to go anti clockwise when a good clock is already ticking.
It is important to stress that power rotation has effectively killed political hegemony and marginalization. The peace loving governor of Enugu state took a step further to entrench politics of inclusiveness in decision making in the State by introducing Political Peace Dialogue (PPD) which is a bold move to eliminate the politics of tigbuo; zogbuo in the State.
Zoning has ensured some levels of political stability since its introduction. Agbakoba (2011) stressed the importance of zoning in Nigeria when he posited that “the call to abolish zoning seriously underestimates and ignores the complex political character of Nigeria.” He posited further that Nigeria is a federation and also a divided society. Federalism is the only known political system that accommodates divisions and diversity; through zoning/power shift the problem of divided society can be abated. To support the importance of zoning, Antonia Simbine (2002) captured that: “Zoning formula seems to fit into the heterogeneous and federal nature of the Nigerian state, helping to accommodate all groups as much as possible and therefore reducing complaints of domination and or marginalization. To this extent, it helps to make the system more inclusive (of identifiable groups), and therefore more supportive of the democratic culture”.
The rotational power arrangement in the state has indeed brought an unprecedented peace and harmony.
The system serves as an act of balancing conflicting demands.
For equity and fairness, power should be shifted to Enugu East by 2023 so that the consolidation of political culture of peace brought by Ugwuanyi administration can continue. Every zone in the state should support Enugu East at this time. This is because the zone supported other zones and not only that, groomed and pampered the zoning principle which has benefited all the zones today. Other zones should accord them some respect by allowing them field a credible candidate and wait for their turn rather than formenting unnecessary political wars.
BIBIAN ANEKWE NEWS…”Good governance never depends upon laws, but upon the personal qualities of those who govern. The machinery of government is always subordinate to the will of those who administer that machinery. The most important element of government is the method of choosing leaders”
Written by
Jude Chijioke Achu
A Political Analyst
MEDIA TEAM MEMBER OF ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
