Story : by Bartholomew Ebuka Okoh
Zoning is a well thought-out philosophy for State stability and
integration. It guarantees that every segment of the State and Senatorial zone will have
sense of belonging by being represented in all the decision making
organs of the government of Enugu State.
According to professor J.T Nwabueze, zoning and rotation principle or policy is part of a democratic culture used for fair play. He went further to say that it counters the negative impulse and tendency of a group of people to remain in office as long as possible and use the resources of the nation to service its narrow and parochial interest. It also offers itself as an antidote to a practice that engenders nepotism, promotes corruption, and breed inefficiency, which in turn stultifies growth abs sustainable development. Ifedi Andi Okwenna, 2009, also opined that if power is allowed to systematically rotate between the various zones the political space will not only widen, the process will definitely throw up capable leaders who can transform our State/ country and move it to greater height. The rotation principles also strengthen loyalty to the State/nation because it would guarantee access to the highest office of the land to all sections of the polity. Zones must come as equal and take their turn on the basis of equity, accepting that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. At the current level of our sociopolitical development, every patriotic Nigerias/Ndi Enugu wants a State where things work. Zoning and rotation if fruitfully implemented will ensure a better Nigeria.
Those Against Zoning in Enugu State didn’t mean well for the State.
In 1999, Enugu East Senatorial Zone produce the Governor of Enugu State in the person of His Excellency Senator Dr Chimaraoke Nnamani,
In 2007,
Enugu West Senatorial Zone produce the Governor of Enugu State in the Person of His Excellency Barrister Sulivan Iheanacho Chime
In 2015
Enugu North Senatorial Zone produce the current Governor in the person of His Excellency Rt Hon Dr Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Gburugburu)
Who is known for transforming many Rural Areas in this State.
It is expected that by 2023, the people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone will produce his successor in line with the zoning principle in the state that is as old as the state. This is why in the year 2018 His Excellency Rt Hon Dr Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said that he will hand over to some from Enugu East senatorial zone.
Zoning is enshrined in PDP to promote equity and fairness.
Article 7.2 © of the PDP constitution states that: “In pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices and it shall be enforced by the approximately executive committee at all levels. The contending issue here is rotation and zoning, but to clearly understand the principle of the PDP constitution, it is important to understand what a zone represents. •According to professor J.T Nwabueze, zoning and rotation principle or policy is part of a democratic culture used for fair play. He went further to say that it counters the negative impulse and tendency of a group of people to remain in office as long as possible and use the resources of the nation to service its narrow and practical interest. It also offers itself as an antidote to a practice that engenders nepotism, promotes corruption, and breed inefficiency, which in turn stultifies growth abs sustainable development. Ifedi Andi Okwenna, 2009, also opined that if power is allowed to systematically rotate between the various zones the political space will not only widen, the process will definitely throw out capable leaders who can transform our State/ country and move it to greater height. The rotation principles on basis of zoning also strengthen loyalty to the State/nation because it would guarantee access to the highest office of the land to all sections of the polity but these cannot be realized if zoning and rotation does not make fairness, equity and social justice the cardinal principle in which it is practiced. Zones must come as equal and take their turn on the basis of equity, accepting that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. At the current level of our sociopolitical development, every patriotic Nigerias/Ndi Enugu wants a State where things work. Zoning and rotation if fruitfully implemented will ensure a better Nigeria.
For one year now,
A lot of people from Enugu West Senatorial Zone has been making move to alter the zoning system in the state to the extent that the supporters of Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremmadu has come out openly to to campaign for him as the best candidate to pick up the Governorship slot in Enugu State.
He hasn’t personally come out to say this but the way things are going I urge him to stand for peace and equity.
A saying goes this”No hand can block an appointed mission ” Everything has its procedure as for the zoning ,it has come to stay !
Nothing and absolutely nothing can change this system.Anything that tampers the already known system will not engender love and peace.
Therefore,I urge Sen.Ike Ekweremmadu to trade the path of peace for the sanity of everything in our future.
Strategically, Zoning is what has come to stay and fighting it will only end up causing chaos. In as much as our choices differ ,Every human wants his right and a forward life is that which obtains it’s right generally.
Nothing feels same when the due procedures aren’t followed. Enugu State is peace and Peace is Enugu. In as much as we want to maintain this peace till eternity Zoning has to prevail fully!
In as much as politics is of interest , a personal interest at that ,we should be careful not to have a hand in anything that can cause serious political upheaval.
It’s a known fact that what shall be shall be ,standing on the already established fact that zoning is what we clamour for to move Enugu state to it’s promise Land .
Leadership chain is like a relay race ,it has to be followed serially and accordingly so it can be a good race. On this note,Let us hand over to who’s on the line and push progress with fierce peaceful force !
Bartholomew Ebuka Okoh writes from Trans Ekulu Enugu
