- * Says I Will Be Happier If It Goes To Nkanu East
- As Ekweremadu Impungns Zoning, Insists On Guber Bid
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CeleOkaf11
Amidst gale of consensus as to the existence of power rotation in Enugu state since 1999 as recently affirmed by a majority of the political leaders across party lines in the state, a former governor of the state and ex-National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, has further affirmed that there is a subsisting agreement on rotation of the seat of governor among the three senatorial districts in the State.
Dr. Nwodo's affirmation is coming on the heels of last Friday's declaration of his 2023 governorship bid by the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, from Enugu West, against the current of the said zoning arrangement.
Ekweremadu's weekend gamble has clearly pitched the eminent Federal lawmaker against a majority of the political leaders in the State including the incumbent governor, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who are insisting that it is the turn of Enugu East where the rotation began 23 years ago and specifically, Nkanu East political axis, to producer a successor to governor Ugwuanyi in 2023.
But following series of consultations and perhaps coupled with personal reasons, Ekweremadu who is popularly known as "Ikeoha" (the strength of his people) made up his mind to impungn the said zoning and resolved to throw his hat in the governorship ring of Enugu state. His declaration however has continued to generate varied reactions across the state since last Friday.
However, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo who is one of the architects of the existing power rotation in Enugu state and a stout proponent of the triangular political equilibrium among the three Senatorial Districts in the State, maintains that the governorship rotation arrangement among the three senatorial zones of Enugu state is an agreed reality and sacrosanct.
Nwodo made this confirmation at the weekend when members of the Nkanu East Leaders Consultative Forum (NELCF) led by the former Power and Steel minister, Professor Barth Nnaji visited him at his Enugu residence to seek support in their quest for the state's 2023 governorship slot coming to Enugu East Senatorial District to be ceded to them.
The former Enugu state governor added that, “there was an agreement for the rotation of governorship position among the three senatorial zones in Enugu State which happened during the former governor Sullivan Chime’s administration”.
Nwodo who praised the unity and sense of purpose of NELCF, said “with such bond and commitment, there was nothing they cannot achieve. I will be happier if Enugu East zone considered Nkanu East for the governorship position”.
Recalling how the understanding was initiated, he said "I was very happy when under Gov Chime, we decided that we shall be rotating (Governorship) position in Enugu State. That day I was at the Government House when it was agreed on. It was Dubem Onyia that moved the motion. I don't know what put it into his head.
"His motion was that Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East Senatorial District had become governor, Chime was on the saddle, from Enugu West Senatorial District, that after Sullivan, it (governorship slot) should move to the North (Enugu North Senatorial District).
"We from Nsukka area were very happy and didn't know how to express our joy. That motion was making things easy for us. However, it was Chief C. C. Egumgbe that amended the motion to say that, "after it had gone round, after Enugu North Senatorial zone, it should return to continue with Enugu East Senatorial zone. Senator Ben Collins Ndi supported the motion, and it was carried unanimously.
"The way everybody was happy as a result of this, no one could oppose it. We all agreed. So as far as I am concerned, it is your turn ( Enugu East). It is the turn of Enugu East and the way Nkanu East is going about it with the cream de la cream of your people is admirable. There's no stakeholder that you would visit that won't pay attention to you. So we are begging God. But let me be a bit personal, if it comes to you, I will be happier.
"I wish you people well and wish that if Enugu East people would form a consensus that it should be Nkanu East and you give it to the best, I will greet you more."
The NELCF leader, Professor Nnaji, said Nkanu East Local Government Area deserve the governorship seat more than any other local government area in Enugu East zone due to her pitiable state of underdevelopment.
Professor Nnaji pointed out that Nkanu East has no meaningful infrastructure especially roads and government presence both state and federal in spite of its abundant human and natural resources and other economic endowments. NNL.
