Guardian

THE new Anambra State, created in 1991, is made Anambra North, South and Central senatorial zones.

The first civilian governor of the state was Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife from Anambra South, whose tenure was truncated by the November 17, 1993 military intervention of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

With the return of democracy in 1999, several political and other factors threw up Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, also from Anambra South, as the governor.

After his first term, his party denied him a second term ticket in 2003 and picked Dr. Chris Ngige from Anambra Central, who was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ngige’s tenure was cut short following the victory of Governor Mr. Peter Obi, also from the Central, at the Supreme Court, who won a second term in 2010, which elapses early next years.

Obi has promised that his successor would emerge from Anambra North, amidst protest and opposition from the Central and South.

The argument of those against Obi’s stand is that the people should be allowed to choose their governor, instead of imposing a candidate on them.

Those in favour of the North producing the next governor believe it is in the interest of fairness and equity, having not occupied the position in old and new Anambra State.

Less than a year to the governorship election, the political atmosphere is already charged, with majority of aspirants mostly moneybags and political heavyweights mainly from the South and Central, and the North parading only a few known perpetual contestants for the seat since 1999.

Presently, all eyes are on the state to see how the game plays out in the days ahead. But many believe that if the North loses out again this time, despite promises and assurances by the incumbent governor, it might be difficult for the people to produce a governor in the nearest future.

 PLATEAU: Rotation Reigns

From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos

THE case of Plateau State is a different ball game altogether. Since the return of democratic governance in 1999, the people struck a mutual understanding to rotate the governorship among the three senatorial districts.

Plateau can unarguably go for a state where equity, fairness and justice reign when it comes to rotation of the governorship, despite its numerous crises over the years.

From the inception of current political dispensation, Plateau has enjoyed that rare privilege of understanding and all the three senatorial districts have had a taste of governorship.

Chief Solomon Lar from the South was the first civilian governor of the state between 1979 and 1984 when the military struck at the point he was starting a second term.

Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun, also from the South, was elected governor under the late Abacha’s regime and spent about two years in office before administration was terminated.

When democracy returned in 1999, the elders of the state unanimously agreed that Plateau Central should produce the governor, which saw the emergence of Chief Joshua Dariye in 1999 and 2007 for a two terms of eight years.

Then came Governor Jonah Jang from the North in 2007 and 2011, who would complete his second term in 2015.

It is glaring that no zone could cry of marginalization, as all of them have taken turns to produce a governor.

The only problem the state is facing now is the choice of where to start another again, but some political observers see this as no problem.

It is on this note that the Special Adviser on Political Matters to Jang, Mr. Alexander Molwus, said: “Like we always say, Plateau people have a tradition and they understand the rhythm of the tradition.

“They also relate that rhythm to the democratic tenets of the Nigerian constitution, which is that any Plateau man is qualified to aspire to leadership.

“From 1999 to date, it has been open to any Plateau man to contest. Yet, the people, in fairness to the various segments of the state, do have an internalised system of arriving at whom to pick.

“Though candidates in the elections from 1999 to date have been coming out from the three zones, but each time, the Plateau people, in sieving out who emerges, will automatically fall within the zone that is seen to have not benefited from the exercise.”

Whichever zone takes the first shot from 2015, the two others are rest assured, from antecedents, that their turns shall surely come subsequently.

BENUE: Numerical Strength, Not Zoning Holds The Ace

From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi

AS talk of who succeeds Governor Gabriel Suswam in 2015 come gathers momentum, the issue of power rotation is already generating controversy in Benue State among the three senatorial districts.

The battle, which is primarily between the two major tribes in the state- Idoma and Tiv- is witnessing the building of political structures that would enable them clinch the position.

The Guardian investigation revealed that aspirants are going the whole hog to recruit political bigwigs in their zones to outwit opponents.

From all indications, the influence of godfatherism in 2015 cannot be rule out in deciding who gets what positions and which part of the state produces the next governor.

Incidentally, since politics is a gain of number, the Tiv, spread across the Northeast and Northwest districts, would slug it out with the Idoma, who occupy the South.

Though every individual is legible to vote and be voted for, but influence of numerical strength cannot be wished away; hence the majority Tiv has unilaterally held political powers and continues to dominate political landscape in Benue State since its creation in 1976.

The Tiv, with five ruling blocs scattered across the two senatorial districts, have produced Aper Aku (Kwande); Moses Adasu (Jerchira); George Akume (Jemngbagh); and Gabriel Suswam (Sankera), remaining only Minda, which like their Idoma counterpart, are yet to have a shot.

Already, the Tiv have resolved that it is only when Minda completes the cycle that they would consider conceding the position to the Idoma.

This is why Minda politicians now insist that it is their turn to produce the governor in 2015 and advance arguments that going by the principle of ya na angbian (chop give your brother) sharing formula, since Kwande, Jerchira, Jemngbagh and Sankera have each produced a governor.

At the moment, over 15 aspirants from Minda residing within and outside the state have indicated interest to succeed Suswam and they can only clinch the position by presenting a common front or aspirant.

However, even within the Tiv tribe, some political leaders are opposed to the Minda aspiration on the ground that the current Tor-Tiv Orchivirigh Akawe Torkula, hails from Guma and it is traditionally wrong for them to contemplate the governorship.

Perhaps all these inform why the Idoma are clamouring for the creation of Apa State, with their son, Senate President David Mark, in the forefront.

But the Igede, another tribe in the zone, fearing continuous marginalisation, does not support the quest.

KANO: Politicians Differ On Zoning

From Abba Anwar, Kano

ZONING of elective and non-elective positions has been described as detrimental to the survival of democracy and democratic culture in the Kano State in particular and the country in general.

But those who see it as complementing the strength of democracy and fair play amongst politicians disagree.

A chieftain of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Yahuza Alkassim Kunchi, said that zoning of positions is undemocratic, mischievous and a threat to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

“I do not believe in zoning and I do not believe in tailored internal arrangement within a particular party to pressed party members on whom to elect at their primary elections within the party,” he stated.

Kunchi said he believes in true democracy and democratic arrangement, not “civilian dictatorship,” citing the emergence of House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal against the PDP zoning arrangement.

“It was all the palaver about zoning that caused the frosty relationship between Tambuwal and President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The President believes in zoning, while Tambuwal is opposed to it,” he noted.

Alhaji AbdulMajid Danbilki Kwamanda, a chieftain of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), noted that zoning, based on credibility and capacity to handle the affairs of the state, was good for the survival of democracy and good governance.

“You see, in Kano State, it is only Kano Central and Kano South senatorial districts that have been producing governors for the state.

“Kano North never for once produced a governor in the state,” Kwamanda lamented.

He further argued that if democracy really meant fairness, then Kano North should zone to produce the next governor of the state in 2015.

“The late Abubakar Rimi and Kabiru Gaya are from Kano South, while Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso are Kano Central.

“So, if democracy is really the main target, Kano North should also produce the next governor.

“We should also encourage that all appointed positions be shared among the zones in the state, as failure to do so could mean a tragic end for the democratic culture,” he said.

But another PDP stakeholder, Alhaji Uba Dan Zainab, said: “There should be a real political contest devoid of acrimony and enmity. That is the best way for one to know his or her political capacity and potentiality.

“I comfortably believe in what Kwankwasiyya political ideology teaches us, which is keen political contest among aspirants.

“Zoning is a negation of true democracy and nothing order than political cowardice.”

BAUCHI: North And Central Seek Turns

From Ali Garba, Bauchi

A FORMER Deputy Comptroller of the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) and politician in Bauchi State, Alhaji Ali Wakili, has stated that corruption and lack of good governance bring about zoning in all tiers of government.

According to him, elite selfishness, exacerbated by corruption, resulting to issues of mis-governance, poverty, lack of infrastructure and unequal development and distribution of resources inform the decision of federal character, which gave birth to zoning of leadership in the country.

On the 2015 general election, especially governorship election in Bauchi State, he said without prejudice to his others’ ambitions, the governorship should be zoned either to the North or Central senatorial districts, as the South district has produced the governors since 1999.

He said if this were taken into cognizance, it would foster greater understanding between the various people and communities and allow peace and harmony to thrive, as well as even development of the state.

Wakili explained that agitation for resource management and control brought about mutual suspicion between various ethnic nationalities making up the Nigerian state, to which states and local government belongs.

He said even though democracy has been defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people, it is relative, as what obtains in the United States of America may not be obtainable in a foisted democracy, such as a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country like Nigeria.

The former NCS boss further stated that the quest for zoning would not have arisen had there not been disillusionment and discontent, which made people to agitate for their own people to be at the helm of affairs.

He stressed: “I am standing for equity, fairness, justice, competitive, collectivism, good governances and above all better society.”