EMEKA NZE writes on the power struggle generated by zoning in the governorship race in Enugu state ahead of 2015
As 2015, the general election year draws nearer, the traditional rivalry between the Abuja politicians and those in the states is mounting. In many states of the federation, especially, in the South East and South-South, where arrangements for succession is not watertight; where the players are not too gentlemanly to honour the tacit agreement of power rotation, no matter how concrete. Succinctly, the tell-tale signs bear of a looming volcano.
Enugu, currently under the firm grips of Governor Sullivan Chime is one of the states expectedly inching towards the crisis of succession. On one hand, there is the governor, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful, believed to have sworn to uphold justice, equity and fairness in the state by handing over power to the Enugu North Senatorial district otherwise known as Nsukka Zone. On the other is a two term Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, another PDP chieftain, who like Chime, hails from Udi in the Enugu West Senatorial zone.
For clarity, Nsukka zone is the only one that has not benefited from the tripod on which power rotation in the state stands, like in the other states since 1999. When the military lifted the ban on partisan politics in 1998, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East Senatorial District propped up by his kinsman and former godfather, Senator Jim Nwobodo became the governor of the state.
“Ebano”, as popularly called, ruled the state for eight years. Upon the expiration of his tenure, he handed over power to Chime, the incumbent, who was then his attorney general and commissioner for justice. By Infrastructural standards, the common testimony is that Chime has uplifted the state through his network of roads, notwithstanding his health challenge.
By the assessment of Enugu indigenes, if he succeeds in fulfilling his promise to hand over power to the Enugu North, he would have scored a second feat besides his developmental strides, and that would further worm him into the hearts of the people, especially, the Nsukka axis.
But should Chime go ahead to hand over to the Enugu North, he would have incurred the wrath of his kinsman, Ekweremadu who is already jostling to take over from him. At many fora, Ekweremadu has sworn to high heaven that he was not interested in ruling the state in 2015. But our findings revealed that the number two lawmaker in the Senate, has already put his campaign machinery in motion and would not be swayed by the rotation arrangement.
The permutation now is that Chime nurses the ambition of going to the Senate to replace Ekweremadu in 2015 and to actualize this; he needs party nomination which Ekweremadu, using his Abuja connection and influence in the party, might foil if the governor favours the Nsukka zone.
But sources close to the governor said he is resolute in his decision to hand over power to the Enugu North as well as actualise his ambition to go to the Senate despite the seeming danger posed by Ekweremadu.
Our reporter further learnt that If the governor fails to get a PDP ticket, he might contemplate defecting to the opposition All Progressives Congress ( APC) or any other. As a corollary therefore, Chime might carry his machinery of government and numerous supporters to another party to swell the opposition, a move which neither President Goodluck Jonathan or the new PDP leadership may be unwilling to risk.
The deputy senate president is equally not leaving any stone unturned in his quest to actualize his governorship ambition. He is said to have influenced most of the infrastructure in the state, as a way of making himself a force to be reckoned with ahead of 2015.
The lawmaker is also not brooking any form of opposition, and this our reporter gathered was recently put to test when he allegedly influenced the suspension of four chieftains of the party from Udi local government for anti-party activities. The move was later to be reversed by the state chapter of the party.
But how ready are the indigenes of Enugu North to take over the administration of the state? Even though it is not too clear yet who Governor Chime is projecting, observers say he is tipping the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Eugene Odoh or his Commissioner for Information, Hon Chuks Ugwuoke both of whom are Nsukka indigenes to succeed him. Analysts also say that the Nsukka indigenes have not shown much readiness to take over the plum seat.
Except for the Managing Director of Peace Mass Transit, Evangelists Maduka Onyisi, who moved to the APC having sensed his closed chance in the ruling party, no practical move is seen from Nsukka indigenes to actually take over from Chime.
Despite the open demonstration of his intent, many believe Onyisi lacks the clout to administer the state. Their reason is that he does not possess enough academic wherewithal in a state endowed with many academicians. Many Nsukka indigenes also wonder why Senator Anyaogu Eze who currently represents the zone at the Senate, is not showing interest. Many ascribe his reticence to a kind of understanding between him and Ekweremadu.
But the governor’s position seems to be enjoying tremendous support from from certain interest groups. One of such is Enugu Unity Forum(EUF), a group of professionals, academicians, politicians and businessmen and women of Enugu extraction resident in Abuja.
The group which listed the administration’s achievements, specifically commended the governor for his administrative acumen in directing affairs of the state.
According to EUF leader, Ugwu Emeka, “this press briefing is therefore basically to applaud the developmental strides of the government of Enugu state and most importantly to lend support to the declaration of the Executive Governor, Barrister Sullivan Iheanacho Chime on the 29th of May 2013 at the Enugu State Stakeholders forum that the good people Enugu Senatorial District should produce the next governor of Enugu State come 2015 in line with the triangular equilibrium encapsulated in the rotation principle.”
They further said the governor’s declaration has doused tensions associated with the clamour for governorship shift as well as reinforced the spirit of natural justice, equity and fair play.
It believed the statement will further unite Enugu indigenes and guarantee peaceful and smooth transition in the state, urging the governor that apart from ensuring that power is handed over to the Enugu North; he must find a man capable of surpassing the achievement of the governor and also carrying all stakeholders along.
The forum is also willing to checkmate what they called reactionaries capable of “bringing political turmoil” in the state by distorting the rotation principle.
Notwithstanding the many clamours for Nsukka zone to take its turn, it is generally believed that the people for whom the struggle is being carried out, appear not prepared for leadership challenge. But as the power struggle rages, who blinks first between Chime and Ekweremadu?
