Anambra 2021: don’t deny people of south their right to governorship slot – group warns politicians

By Ovat Abeng

In the build-up to the 2021 governorship election in Anambra state, the facilitator, Great Anambra Forum (GAFORUM), Engr. Fabian Ozoigbo, has called for mutual respect of the existing zoning arrangement established by God Almighty and not Mr. Peter Obi, the former governor of the state, as speculated.

Ozoigbo, who made the position of the group known during a symposium organised by the body in preparation for the next year election in the state at Emmaus House Awka, yesterday, maintain that the forum will continue to propagate the gospel of rotation of office of the Governor among the three Senatorial Zones of Anambra North, South and Central.

He warned the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and other political parties contesting the election not to denied the people of the South Senatorial District their right of governorship position for the interest of peace, justice and fairness.

He equally advised politicians and their political parties to zone their ticket to Anambra South Senatorial Zone and beam their searchlight on credible candidates from the zone with character, exposure, proven integrity, sound education, competence and cognate experience for the job.

“A contestant must not only have a visible means of livelihood, but must have also impacted positively on the people, especially from the state”, he added.

According to him, “the issue of power shift is as old as Anambra State. In fact, God started the application of rotational arrangement in Anambra State in 1992 and not man made, when out of divine providence, a wealthy contestant and literally speaking, the candidate to beat in the election, was disqualified. His disqualification set the stage for governorship contest between Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife of the defunct Social Democratic party (SDP) and Eriobuna of the National Republic Convention (NRC) both from Anambra South. Eventually Dr. Ezeife won the election in 1992 and became the f civilian Governor from the Southern Senatorial Zone.

“He listen how the three Senatorial Zones have produced governors so far at different times;

“Anambra South: Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife-2nd January 1992 to 17th November 1993, Dr. Chuwoke C Mbadinuju-29th May 1999 to 28th May 2003, Dame Virgy Etiaba-November 2006 to February 2007.

“Anambra Central: Dr. Chris Ngige-29th May 2003 to 16th March 2006, Mr. Peter Obi-17th March 2006 to 16th March 2014 while the North has only the incumbent Governor, Willie Obiano- 17th March 2014 to 16th March 2022.

“Now again, is the turn of the Anambra South to produced who will take over from Governor Willie Obiano. Relevant stakeholders should take note, he warned.

Also speaking during the event, Honorable Peter Onuorah, former Majority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly, said the rotation of governorship position in the state would serve as panacea for lasting peace and tranquility among Ndi-Anambra.

Onuorah, who is currently the President General of Anaku community, in Ayamelum Council area of the state, urged political parties especially, APGA, APC and PDP to select their candidates from the Southern Anambra for the sake of peace and development.

Gaforum, a non governmental organization and a political pressure group, is made up of technocrats, professionals, politicians, leaders of association, trade unions and religious bodies was set up in 1998 to positively shape and engineer the political landscape of Anambra State.It has functional presence in the 326 wards of the 21 local government areas of the state.

The event witnessed the presence of the Direction General, Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA and governorship aspirant under APC, Chief George Moghalu, the member representing Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Engr. Chris Azugbogu, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Ndubisi and other Professional organizations in the state.”