The Traditional Ruler of Nawgu, Dunukofia LGA of Anambra state, His Royal Highness Igwe George E. Okaa-Onwuogu, has enjoined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressive Congress (APC) and other political parties in the state to zone their gubernatorial slots to the southern part of the state for equity and fairness.
Anambra South had produced Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife (January 1992 to November 1993), Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju (1999 to 2002) and Dame Virgy Etiaba (November 2006 to February 2007) as executive governors of the state, while Anambra central threw up Dr Chris Ngige (2003 to 2006) and Mr Peter Obi (2006 to 2014).
The incumbent, Chief Willie Obiano who is incharge since 2014, and will complete his tenure by 2021 is from the northern part of the state.
However, while the state ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) including a non-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Anambra state chapter and few others were advocating for governor of the state to emerge from Anambra south, other political parties disassociated selves from zoning formula, just as a group of traditional rulers from the North led by Igwe Nkeli Kelly of Igbariam, Anambra East LGA, rejected it as well.
But Igwe Okaa-Okwuogu appealed to political parties to ensure that only qualified candidates from Anambra south emerge as their flag bearers so as to make it possible that whoever the masses choose via ballot was from the zone.
He said, “For any political party to win APGA in the guber contest, such party must follow suit by selecting their flag bearer from south, because the zoning arrangement policies in the state, has become part and parcel in the minds of Anambra electorate. It is a gentleman arrangement introduced by Mr.Peter Obi, to give equal opportunity irrespective of social-economic status of any senatorial district to govern the state for a democratical period of eight years, which has yielded all round development in the state.
“So, It’s unfair for some of my fellow traditional rulers to reject zoning arrangement that has brought peace, unity, uncommon growth and development in all areas of human existence in the state under the present administration. I want to even appeal to other South east states including the federal government to emulate Anambra zoning policies.”
