2023 promises to be another turning point in the annals of the political trajectories in Enugu State as the curtain steadily draws closer for another fresh General elections. There has been heightened debate in and around the zoning principles purported to have been adopted by the political leaders of thought and elders of Enugu state prior to the onset of the political trajectories after the long years of the military in the governance of the nation. Perhaps no single day passes without a loud voice or two contributing to the ongoing conversation on the subject matter. Perhaps the good thing about the conversation has to do with the fact that citizens are increasingly concerned about who succeeds the peace loving outgoing Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Another important angle is that citizens are being daily inundated with facts and figures as well as perspectives in the zoning debacle affirming on one hand citizens political awareness and on the other fueling suspicion of aggressive political contests as 2023 draws nearer and the Gburu-Gburu of Enugu state bows out gracefully from the Lion Building.
As I leaf daily through the political pages of some select mainstream media to get updates on the political happenings around the world especially our country, Nigeria and Enugu my state in particular, I can not but notice the increasing wave of discussions woven around what I have come to term as a debacle of sort. While it is important to feed our knowledge with facts of the zoning debate, it is equally important to see through the debate in order to fashion out an acceptable way which will not only benefit the generality of Ndi Enugu but will also put paid to the politics of thuggery and unhealthy political climate which often has characterized our political firmament from history not only in Enugu but the entire country. There is indeed no denying the fact that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has never left anyone in doubt that he is a true unifier of all shades of political interests. May God continue to grant him sufficient courage and Grace to remain focused in this regard.
As the debate on zoning continues, many knowledgeable people has come out categorically to assert that there has never been a thing like zoning in the state even what we have going at the moment look somewhat like a zoning arrangement. While contributing to the ongoing conversation, a certain Chinenye Ugwu (a female homo-sapien) I suppose whom seem to be well grounded in the politics of the state, was assertive that there has never been a thing like zoning. She actually likened the purported zoning to the German Nazi propaganda machine whose proponent, Joseph Goebbels have advocated a big lie told repeatedly to assume the position of a truth and to hoodwink not quite a few. While she interrogated the actual time or venue where such arrangement albeit a gentleman’s initiative took place, which to me is not valid enough to deny the existence of such, she cleverly elucidated on the processes leading to the emergence of each occupant of the Lion building since 1999 till date and averred that providence rather than tact was responsible for the seeming rotational governorship among the major zones of the state. She had insisted that all the zones from 1999 till date other than the zones assumed to be their turn have always had a cross contest to challenge the incumbent.
“So, clearly, as far as Enugu governorship seat is concerned, everybody had always tried his or her luck, but God always gave power to whomever He pleased. The good and most significant thing, however, is that the coveted seat has gone round the three zones, but certainly not based on any pre-agreed zoning formula, as some propagandists would have Nigerians believe, but as it pleased God and Enugu people”.
Perhaps, Chinenye Ugwu is not alone in the observation of the political processes as captured in her narrative, the Enugu state Caretaker Committee Chairman of All Progressive Congress APC, Dr Ben Nwoye, equally asserted that there will be no zoning for the post of governorship in the state for the purpose of the 2023 general election.
Dr. Nwoye, revealed that the ongoing formal and informal debates in the state about which senatorial zone would produce the next governor of the state was needless since nobody in the history of the state was prevented from the contest on the basis of zoning.
Both Chinenye Ugwu, Dr. Nwoye and yet another friend of mine, Engr. (Dr) Donald Igwegbu were unanimous in their cosmopolitan outlook to emphasize competence, loyalty to Ndi Enugu and world view individuals rather than matter of clannishness as basis to selecting or electing future political office holders in the state. No doubt, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has surpassed our expectations in this regard. He has set a standard for comparison for future occupants of the Lion building. And only time will tell if the combination of providence and other considerations will continue to play a major role in the election of governorship materials in the coal city state.
Perhaps yet, Ugwuanyi holds the ace in 2023. May Enugu state remain permanently in the hands of God.
Bibian Anekwe News added…”Positive leaders empower people to accomplish their goals.”
Written by
Austin Okechukwu Chijioke
Public Affairs Commentator and member, Enugu di n’aka Chukwu movement.
