YEMI Afolayan, Secretary of the Kwara State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), says the state is unique in terms of zoning arrangement for the governorship position, as it has always been a strong factor in the choice of the would-be governor.

Like Afolayan, many other major stakeholders lauded the arrangement as something that engenders even spread of democratic gains and a sense of patriotism in Nigerians.

But despite that, Afolayan said the ruling PDP in the state has overwhelming supporters across the three senatorial districts and “a very solid party structure,” and wherever the district the governor hails from would not ordinarily influence any policy of government.

Besides, he said the proposition would not always work out in some cases, noting that reactions to politics are sometimes influenced by the choice of candidates made by the opposition party.

“The zoning arrangement is not a new phenomenon in Kwara politics. In fact, the late doyen of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki started it and it has since become an acceptable norm here,” he said.

The three senatorial districts are Kwara South, Kwara Central and Kwara North.

The PDP official added: “In 1979, the governor came from Kwara North (Adamu Attah), but in 1983, it was the turn of the Kwara South, (Cornelius Adebayo). Between 1999 and 2009, Kwara Central produced the governors (Mohammed Lawal and Bukola Saraki.) At present, it is the turn of Kwara South, (Abdulfatah Ahmed)”.

Afolayan therefore believes the arrangement could be implemented at the national level and should be based on the existing six geo-political zones in the country.

On his part, Oyin Zubir, a leading figure among agitators for the creation of Igbomina State, supported the views expressed by Afolayan but with a caveat that the arrangement should be enshrined in the country’s constitution.

Zubir said: “It is a good thing for all the existing senatorial districts in each state of the federation to be rotating the governorship slot among them.

“This arrangement is also good at the federal level. However, we should make it a constitutional issue so as to remove any friction on it in future.”

To Rafiu Ajakaye, an aide of Dele Belgore, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in the 2011 election, the arrangement is desirable as it would spread democratic gains across the states and the country as a whole.

Ajakaye said: “Every person and every part of the state is entitled to vie for the governorship and I will always support the exercise of that right.”

But an Ilorin-based human rights activist, Taiwo Otitolaye, views zoning as undemocratic and a system that could further divide Nigerians along ethnic lines.

He said: “I don’t support the idea; it is not a democratic song at all. We need to allow anybody who is qualified to contest for either the post of a governor or the president. We should stop this talk on ethnicity.

“If we should operate on rotational basis, the unity of this country will be eroded.”

CROSS ROVER: Imoke Insists On Equity

From Anietie Akpan, Calabar

ZONING or power rotation is a non-issue in Cross River State, as Governor Liyel Imoke and some stakeholders have made it crystal clear that the next governor should come from the North Senatorial district.

Even in the ongoing primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Imoke made it very clear to the party’s elders and caucuses that chairmanship and counsellorship positions should go to areas that have not occupied the posts in the past.

In one of the interactive sessions with journalists, Imoke said as a person, he believes in justice and equity. He stated that two of the three senatorial districts in state – the South and Central – have had shots at the governorship while the North has not.

He added that it is only proper that in next dispensation, the North should be considered in the interest of equity and justice.

The PDP in the state has always maintained the zoning arrangement, even though the opposition parties have tried to no avail to scuttle it.

Chairman of Hope Democratic Party (HDP), Dr. Theo Onyukwu, said: “It is very unfortunate that we are not practicing democracy in our country and moreso in our state.

“Most state governors have become emperors. They are in charge and decide who gets what, not the people.

“The issue of successor has not started because you have the mandate to govern the people for the next three years. You are not God and at the fullness of time, the people will decide who will govern them from 2015.”

However, most people in the state have lauded Imoke for insisting on zoning, not only for the governorship, but also for other positions in the local government election.

A retired banker, Francis Bullem, said: “Zoning or rotation is a good development, because it creates opportunities for every facet of society to benefit from the incentives that such opportunities could create.

“It also creates some kind of even development across various segments of society. So, it is a welcome development and Imoke should be commended for his stand. He has acted as a father.

“Ordinarily, without rotation, you will find out that certain areas cannot aspire to some levels of political administration and economy.

“It is the rotation policy, for instance, that has given us the opportunity in the South-South to produce the President of Nigeria.”

AKWA IBOM: A Different Ball Game

IN Akwa Ibom State, it is a direct opposite of what is going on in Cross River.

The political tripod – Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene senatorial districts – are at war again over who should produce the next governor in 2015, as the issue of zoning or power rotation takes centre stage.

Most people have argued that Governor Godswill Akpabio and Senator Alloysius Etuk are the greatest beneficiaries of zoning in the state.

Political analysts maintained that if not for the zoning arrangement by the then governor, Obong Victor Attah, and stakeholders in 2007, it would have been absolutely difficult, if not impossible, for an Annang politician to become governor.

Similarly, it would have been impossible for an Ibibio man in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district to be a senator in an Annang- dominated area, but for zoning.

Since  the creation of the state in 1987, only Uyo and Ikot Ekpene districts have produced governors, with each serving two terms, due to the cooperation and political understanding of others in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011.

In 1999 and 2003, Eket and Ikot Ekpene districts massively supported the quest of Uyo district, and in 2007 and 2011, Uyo and Eket stood behind Ikot Ekpene to produce the governor.

So equity, fairness and political harmony demand that Uyo and Ikot Ekpene should queue behind Eket in the 2015 and 2019 governorship elections, as one good turn deserves another, despite a few dissenting voices in some quarters.

Already, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and former Commissioner of Finance in Attah administration, Obong Umana Umana, and immediate past senator for Uyo, Senator Effiong Bob, have indicated interest to govern the state in 2015.

Two opposing camps have emerged in the state for and against zoning.

PDP stakeholders in Uyo district and others recently addressed the press, saying there was nothing like zoning or power rotation, insisting that the people of the state should concern themselves with the best materials and not zoning or rotation.

Senator Ita Enang, who read the communiqué, said there has never been zoning and there should be none.

They argued that after all, other zones contested the primaries with Uyo and Ikot Ekpene when they emerged, so stopping anybody now was not acceptable.

But immediate past state Chairman of the party and Special Adviser to Governor Akpabio on Cooperative and Food Sufficiency, Uwem Ita-Etuk, faulted his kinsmen’s claims, noting that in his previous capacity, he presided over the meeting of PDP stakeholders during which it was agreed that the office of governor should be rotated among the three districts.

According to him, there would be dire consequences for the state should Eket be deprived of producing the next governor in 2015, warning that the state could be set ablaze should the PDP stakeholders from Uyo ‘steal’ the turn of their Eket bothers.

The PDP chieftain, who spoke with some journalists at his country home in Nnung Udoe in Ibesikpo Asutan Council, said it would be “morally wrong” for Uyo to rob Eket of its turn to produce the governor in 2015.

He stated that since Akwa Ibom is founded on a tripod of Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket senatorial districts, the next governor should come from Eket, noting that that since Uyo had produced Attah and Ikot Ekpene’s Akpabio is serving his second term, nothing should be done to disrupt the arrangement.

He said: “I am a non-violent politician and I really want peace to reign in Akwa Ibom. That is why I am going to bare my mind.

“Even in your house, when you have about seven children, you won’t want to put all of them in one vehicle when you are traveling.

“We are saying that things should be done as they have always been done. There shouldn’t be atavism or traces of atavism. These are things (zoning or rotation) have been enshrined even in our traditional institutions and the way we conduct our things for the sake of peace.

“So, we should stop doing things that are morally and politically not right. I know I might be challenged in certain quarters, but I stand for political morality.

“Any adult in Akwa Ibom that pretends not to know the answer is doing injustice to the system. There is a direction; Akwa Ibom is built on a tripod of three senatorial districts.

“What I am saying is not out of my own selfish sentiment or that I want to portray myself as a tin god; it is what will bring peace to Akwa Ibom.

“Things should be shared equally. If people are saying that it has always been like that; that it is a free ball that anybody that grabs is free to play it like rugby, then we are deceiving the society and ourselves.”

He argued that Eket, which produces the oil wealth that sustains the state, should be allowed to take its turn in the governance of the state.

“This is a very sensitive senatorial district. Akwa Ibom is portrayed as one of the highest producers of crude oil and one of the engine rooms of Nigeria’s economy, and the wealth of the state is collected within that enclave called Eket district.

“Let us not pretend not to know the consequences of depriving a people of their rights. If we are deprived our rights, we would not be happy, so anybody that goes to equity must go with clean hands.

“We are clamouring that they are cheating Akwa Ibom in Abuja, but we are equally here oppressing ourselves. So what are we talking about?”

Traditional rulers in Eket recently addressed the press on the matter and appealed to stakeholders in the state’s politics to maintain the principle of power rotation in the 2015 governorship polls.

The Paramount Ruler of Onna, Akwa Edidem Akpabio Ukpa, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues when leaders of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District Assembly visited him in his palace at Ikot Edor, said going by the principle of power rotation in Akwa Ibom, it is the turn and the right of Eket district to produce the governor come 2015.

He recalled that he was among the people from Eket who signed the memorandum of rotation from Eket when it was the turn of Ikot Ekpene, warning that traditional injunction would be placed on any politician from Eket who sells out or betrays the people in its quest to produce the next governor.

Chairman of the Assembly, Chief Nduese Essien, said the visit was to solicit support from the Traditional Rulers Council and “alert you that your district is expected to produce the governor in 2015. We are on this mission to defend equity, justice and fairness to all.”

He added: “The cycle of rotation of governorship in Akwa Ibom should be completed in 2015 before starting another one based on any new principle.”

So, in Akwa Ibom, zoning remains an issue.

ENUGU: North Zone Insists On Its Turn In 2015

From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

IF the consciousness already created is not distorted and Governor Sullivan Chime makes real his campaign promise to support the zone, the Enugu North senatorial zone would in 2015 produce his successor.

This is in line with the political order being nurtured in the state since the return of democracy in 1999.

Stakeholders in the state had before now harped on the need for political power, especially at the governorship level, to rotate among the three zones of Enugu West, Enugu East and Enugu North districts to reduce friction and give each zone a sense of belonging.

They also argued that it would foster accelerated development and improve greater participation in the affairs of the state.

Thus, after the creation of the state in 1991, its leaders, led by the late Chief Christian Onoh, former governor of the old Anambra State, took into account the fact that the new creation had put him in Enugu West senatorial zone, as with Chief Jim Nwobodo, also a former governor in the old Anambra, now in Enugu East.

Thus, for peace sake, the leaders insisted that since these men had occupied the position, they have well represented the interests of their areas; hence their support for Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo from Enugu North to emerge the first governor of the state in 1991 to completed the tripod power sharing arrangement.

A new order began in 1999, with the emergence of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East as governor. Despite the pressures eight years after, Nnamani nominated and supported Chime from Enugu West as his successor, who was supported by the stakeholders and leaders in the state.

Chime, by 2015, would be ending his second term and the natural thing would be to see that the rotation is not disrupted by ensuring the governorship goes to Enugu North.

Perhaps to realise this, the governor had during his re-election campaign where he met with stakeholders of the zone, assured them that he would support their aspiration in 2015 should they support him in his bid, bearing in mind that his major opponents in the election were from the area.

Thus, the leaders prevailed on their sons to defer their aspirations and support Chime. The people believe the greatest thing that would compensate them is for the governor to keep to his promise and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties to respect the zoning arrangement.

The rumoured ambition of Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has raised concerns among the people, with his posters doting the nooks and crannies of Enugu and Nsukka.

This is not because Ekweremadu is not qualified or does not have the capacity to run for the office, but that having him in the race, in view of the position he occupies now, could alter the zoning arrangement.

Ekweremadu hails from Enugu West, the same zone with Chime. His Aninri Local Government area had also complained of marginalisation in the state.

But apparently not to be taken unawares and not wanting to rely on Chime’s promise alone, politicians in the area are now closing ranks with the aim of producing an acceptable candidate for the position.

As it stands now, what is common in the state is that power should shift to Enugu North in 2015, but whether the leaders, especially the governor, have the political will to drive it to its conclusion, remains to be seen.

DELTA: North Demands Its Turn

From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba

THERE is no doubt that the Anioma people of Delta North senatorial district suffer from a deep sense of marginalisation when it comes to the governorship of the state.

It is the only zone that is yet to occupy the governorship position since the state was created in 1991 by former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

While Senator Felix Ibru and Chief James Ibori, both from Delta Central, have occupied the plum position for over eight years cumulatively, incumbent Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan from the South senatorial district would complete his second term in 2015.

Little wonder that the people of Delta North are determined to take a shot at the position in 2015 in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice, notwithstanding the numerous obstacles to be surmounted.

This is certainly a no mean task to convince the other ethnic groups, especially the Urhobo who are in the majority, to see reason with them.

If his declaration in Agbor in April last year is anything to go by, there is no doubt that the people have found a faithful friend in Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.

While throwing his weight behind their quest, Clark had declared that they are fully entitled to govern the state in 2015, much as it is the right of any Deltan to contest for the number one position, saying nobody is a second-class citizen in his own state or country.

The elder statesman averred that it would amount to hypocrisy, if he stoutly defends Jonathan, from a minority group/geo-political zone, and do a different thing in his own state.

The Ijaw leader, who hails from Delta South, advised them to establish cordial relationship with the other districts, as they do not exist in isolation in the state.

“They should work together with others and make their request and others will consider it, though it is not a question of forcing it upon anybody.

“This state belongs to all of us and we must be patient if we are not ruling. All I have said is that certain people should not arrogate to themselves the exclusive right to govern this state. We are all equal,” he stressed.

But the Ijaw chief may be on a collision course with some die-hard opponents of power shift or rotation or zoning in the state, who have vowed to resist the move all the way.

Some of them, under the aegis of Old Delta Province Solidarity Front (ODPSF), argued that Delta North should not start talking of producing the governor in 2015 because the old Delta Province has not recovered from the injustice of locating two state capitals in the old Benin Province, one in Benin City and the other in Asaba.

They added that if the people of the defunct Delta Province, which fought for the creation of Delta State, were cruelly denied the privilege of hosting the state capital, no power on earth could compel them to concede the governorship to Delta North.

Undeterred, another group, the Anioma Political Forum (APF), has resolved to see somebody from Delta North occupy Government House, Asaba in 2015 with all legitimate and civil-political means, no matter whose ox is gored.

Its Secretary, Mr. Alex Onwuadiamu, urged stakeholders and all political organisations to eschew rancour in their quest for relevance and attention in the political sphere.

He stated that all over Nigeria, no ethnic nationality has ever been denied the governorship on grounds of hosting the state capital, citing the case of Ibadan in Oyo state.

“Whilst we lay claim to the governorship of Delta State come 2015, we recognise the fact that Delta State, being a multi-ethnic society, we shall at the appropriate time seek the understanding of other ethnic nationalities in pursuance of our quest for the position,” he said.

With the numerous aspirants from both Delta Central and South waiting earnestly on the sidelines to throw their hats in the ring once the whistle sounds, in disregard of the zoning arrangement, it s still hazy how Delta North would make it.

After all, in the rough and tumble world of politics, most politicians, especially in Nigeria, do not willingly give up power because of equity, fairness and justice, except in a few states.

TARABA: The South Clamours For Power Shift

From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

ONE of the aims of the quest for the creation of Taraba State from the defunct Gongola State which came to reality in 199, was for the people to gain political freedom.

But little did those who shouldered the crusade, majority of whom, The Guardian learnt hail from the southern part of the state, know that their dreams of ensuring equity in the governance of the state, especially under the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would be a mirage.

Unlike other geo-political zones – Central and North – that had have had their share of the number one position of the state, South is hoping that 2015 would be a dream come true.

But the incessant communal and religious upheavals in the zone and their inability to speak with one voice by throwing their weight behind a candidate, may as well thwart their quest.

Taraba South has been unlike the other zones that are ready to put sentiments aside and sponsor one candidate each for the exalted position.

At last count, over five politicians from the zone had signified interest in the governorship on PDP’s platform alone in the 2015 election.

“How, for God’s sake, would you expect our party to zone the governorship position to the South when we all know that they are not united,” wondered a PDP chieftain.

He added: “Zoning can never work in the state and with the way things are already going, don’t be surprised that the next governor would emerge from the Northern part of the state again.

“With the number of aspirants from that zone, how do you think that even if zoning is allowed, they can arrive at a consensus?,” the PDP chieftain added.

Whatever the argument, Joel Danlami Ikenya, a former governorship candidate, said: “It is very important that no zone is marginalised as he who goes to equity, must go with clean hands.

“We are part of Taraba and believe it is our turn to produce the next governor of this state. The North produced Jolly Nyame between 1992 and 1993, who came back from 1999 to 2007 and handed over to Governor Danbaba Suntai from the Central.

“We believe it is the turn of the South. I believe it will only be fair that we should also have our fair share.

“We shall insist on our rights; we shall insist on justice and I believe it will be given to us.”

Ikenya added: “Some people are calling for a Moslem candidate in the state. I share their views, in the sense that we also have Moslems in the South.

“So, if they are thinking of Moslem candidate, he should come from the South. We have prominent and well-educated Moslems from that part of the state who have all it takes to govern this state.”

Another PDP chieftain, Alhaji Danjuma Munga, carpeted those agitating for zoning, which he said is undemocratic and prayed PDP in the state should never venture into it.

“Democracy does not exclude any part of a state or a region from participating in it. The issue of marginalisation or power shift is one that has to do with the thinking of some particular sections of a state or a country when they are agitating to rule.

“I do not support zoning because it does not give the best candidates to the people. As far as I am concerned, the issue of leadership should be on merit. Whoever is qualified to be a leader should be given the chance, rather than clamouring for power shift.

“A good leader is what is desired at all times, so let us desist from talking about zoning or marginalisation. What if we do not have the good material we needed there?

“Power shift is not a good thing because it will undermine development. As far as I am concerned, in this Taraba, all sections have participated in government.”

Failure to allow  power shift, The Guardian observed, might lead to an exodus from the PDP to the emerging Africa Progressive Congress (APC), although PDP chieftains dismissed the speculation.

The people of Taraba South, especially those in the PDP, have continued to clamour for the chance to occupy the governorship seat like their counterparts from the North and Central zones, or they would decamp to opposition parties.

ABIA: The South Lays Claim To 2015

From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia

IN Abia, the South senatorial zone is laying claim to the next governorship in 2015 on the basis that the position has been made to rotate among the three zones of North, Central and South.

The North took its turn in Orji Uzor Kalu for two terms of eight years who handed over to the Central in the person of Governor Theodore Orji, who is serving his second term.

So, going by this arrangement, all things being equal, the next state governor in 2015 ought to come from the South.

It is instructive to note that because the principle is not backed by any law, the previous contests featured aspirants from all the zones.

Rotation among the senatorial districts are even criticised in some quarters. Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu and PDP member from the North, Chief Greg Ibe, posited that the governorship position should not be zoned, but made open to all interested aspirants to allow the people vote in who  they want.

He counselled the electorate to vote somebody with a pedigree to succeed Orji.

Former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Prince Christopher Enweremadu, said power has been shared between the old Bende and old Aba zones, comprising Ukwa Ngwa in old Aba Province and the old Bende, without taking cognizance of senatorial arrangement; hence the next state governor should be of Ukwa Ngwa extraction.

He also said Ukwa Ngwa/Abia South agitation for power shift in 2015 would change the monopoly of the office by the North and Central zones and help address the past marginalisation against the Ukwa Ngwa in the scheme of things, which he said the advent of Orji has been redressing, as no Ukwa Ngwa man or woman has occupied the position.

Another PDP member and former governorship aspirant added: “The Abia Charger of Equity discussed rotation and Orji has consistently committed to a power shift to Abia South.

“In the current dispensation, Abia North governed for eight years, ending in 2007, while Abia Central is governing and will govern for eight years ending 2015; hence it will be the turn of Abia South.”

•TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK