BY MARTINS CHINONSO NWEDE
There is no doubt that the phrase ‘zoning arrangement’ in Ebonyi state has become a norm, already planted in the minds of Ndi Ebonyi without a concrete document backing it.
Though the founders of Ebonyi in a bid to engender peace, egalitarianism and insurbination reached agreement christened "Ebonyi Charter of Equity," pundits has queried the content of the charter and how extent it has been effective in Ebonyi State.
As the 2023 approaches, the struggle for which zone to take the shot has generated controversy. Popular opinion has it that since all the zones have tested the stool of Government House, the so called Charter of Equity should not be a rallying point.
However, since democracy came onboard in 1999, some political parties sustained the zoning formula till today as part of the basis to maintain equity in the party and ensure egalitarian society. Evidently, zoning arrangement was introduced by National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the 2nd republic (1979-83), hence other political parties decided to embrace it.
While the 2023 permutation is teetering, zoning has become the talk of the day across the country. The Southeast geopolitical zone is not left behind as people from the zone are clamouring that the post of President should be zoned to their zone. These people are considering the fact that they are yet to produce President or Vice President after the return of Democracy in 1999. The people of the Southwest are equally running riot that Presidential ticket should be given them. The Northern Nigeria are not mute, as they have overtime maintained that power will remain with them, citing that when combined the period Obasanjo and Jonathan ruled Nigeria, the North needs to rule for another tenure.
In Anambra where gubernatorial election took place in November 6th 2021, there was a power tussle on zoning formula prior the election. The people of Anambra South Senatorial district maintained that it is their turn to produce the next Governor of Anambra State. The Political actors and non actors including the Traditional ruler's led by HRH Igwe Alfred Achebe in 2020 raised alarm as it concerns zoning in Anambra 2021, emphasizing that zoning must be maintained to accommodate other zones. Following the controversies that engulfed Anambra PDP, the erstwhile Vice Chairman of PDP in the Southeast Zone, Chief Austin Umahi while trying to resolve the conflicting interest in Anambra earlier before he was removed from office by the NEC of PDP received venoms on the statement credited to him that zoning will not see the light of day in Anambra. Tantrum were thrown at him from different quarters then. People from different zones in the State contested during the election but at the end of the poll, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo from Ihiala, Anambra South won.
Similarly, in Enugu State, the case is still the same as Enugu West Senatorial district where Sen Ike Ekeremadu hails, has declared that Enugu 2023 is virtually for Enugu West Senatorial district, but the people of Enugu East maintained that the slot is solely for them. Visibly, other Zones has produced 2 to 3 Governors but Enugu West has produced just one. The battle is still on till 2022 when the political parties in Enugu will conduct their guber primary election.
Emphatically, zoning is a antithetical to the ethos of democracy as it doesn't reflect on popular opinion. Commentators and political pundits have overtime queried the rationale behind zoning formula and expressed dismay on the issue of the arrangement, citing that it doesn't provide a level playing ground for the best candidate to emerge. Nevertheless, zoning was purposefully introduced by political parties to favour all the parts in the political terrain to propel equity and involvement of others to avoid being marginalized.
In Ebonyi, there are three recognized zones, namely; Ebonyi North, Ebonyi Central and Ebonyi South. Ebonyi North comprises: Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Izzi and Ohaukwu Local Government Council. Ebonyi South comprises: Afikpo North and South, Onicha, Ivo and Ohaozara LG council. Ebonyi Central Comprises of Ezza North, Ezza South, Ikwo, and Ishielu.
However, in Ebonyi politics, the politics of zoning the post of the governor, came to play from 1999 when Sen Sam Ominyi Egwu contested and won under the platform of People's Democratic Party, though, there was no strong document backing the zoning formula as the mainstream of Ebonyi politics. When Sen Sam Egwu was vying for the post, many political heavyweights across the three zones in Ebonyi slugged it out with him in a serious battle. In 2003, he was highly challenged when he contested to retain his seat for the Second term. Political pillars like Dr Chris Ogbonnaya Onu who is the current Minister of Science and Technology, Sen Anyim Pius Anyim, Former Senate President, SGF and others from Ezza didn't fold hands to allow the North rule for 8yrs, but rather battled to wrestle power from him. At the end of the political squabble, Sen Egwu won and served for 8years democratically.
Sen Egwu who is Ohaukwu born University Don from Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone was very Lucy to be the first Civilian Governor of Ebonyi State, after its creation in 1996 by Late Gen Sani Abacha, the former Head of State who died in power.
In 2007, power shifted from Ebonyi North to Ebonyi Central and had Chief Martins Nwanchor Elechi from Ikwo Local Government of People's Democratic Party, who served as the Second Civilian Governor of Ebonyi State. Sen Sam Egwu wanted to hand over to someone from Ebonyi Central, (Ishielu LG) but powers that be anointed Chief Martins Nwanchor Elechi of Ikwo in Ebonyi Central. Many political enigmas like Sen Ali Ucha of Ezza, Amb Frank Ogbuewu of Ikwo, etc didn't fold hand but battled to wrestle power from Elechi in his first and second tenure respectively. While Amb Frank Nchita Ogbuewu and Sen Barr Julius Ali Ucha hail from Ebonyi Central, the same district with Chief Elechi, Dr Adol Awam of Ebonyi LGA in Ebonyi North raised head in 2011 to bench Chief Elechi under ACN among others, including Chief Austin Chukwu from South Senatorial zone. After the serious political tension and squabble, Elechi was returned elected in the controversial election that Sen Julius Ali Ucha was presumed to have won.
Similarly, in 2015 when Chief Martins Nwanchor Elechi wanted to handover the baton, he replicated the initial action of his predecessor Sen Egwu before the intervention of Gen Obasanjo and handpicked Dr Onyebuchi Chukwu from Ebonyi South, Afikpo North LGA who was the former Minister of Health under Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on the basis that Afikpo should take the shot in appreciation of Late Dr Ezeogo Akanu Ibiam contribution in the creation of Ebonyi State. His interest was marred following the intruges that played out. However, the inefficiencies of Gov Elechi paved way for his intelligent Deputy; Engr David Nweze Umahi from Ebonyi South, (Ohaozara LGA) to emerge in the 2015 Gubernatorial race thereby giving all the triple Senatorial Zones in Ebonyi State a fair share and equal treatment. Notwithstanding that Ebonyi North and Central has ruled as the Governor of Ebonyi State, it is note worthy that in the 2014 PDP Primary, people like Sen Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, Late Dr Sen Offia Nwali, of Ebonyi Central (Ezza extraction) contested in the primary. Also during the 2015 election, Sen Anthony Agbo of Ebonyi North from Ohaukwu LGA contested under APGA against the South. When he was asked why he decided to do so even when Ebonyi North has ruled Ebonyi, he maintained that, "there is nothing like zoning in Ebonyi. And to him, he doesn't believe in Zoning" (culled from 60minutes, 101.5 Unity Fm Audience Participatory Program).
Furthermore, Arch Edward Nkwegu of Ebonyi North, Izzi LGA also contested against the south to thwart the purported zoning formula under Labour Party. He was presumed to be sponsored by Chief Martin's Elechi who allegedly wanted to install a successor by hook or crook following the power play that sank his dream in 2014/2015 political season. Sen Julius Ali Ucha from Ebonyi Central, Ishielu LGA equally slugged it out against the South under APC. Interestingly, all the tussle by people outside Ebonyi South couldn't hold water, as Engr David Umahi of Ebonyi South from Ohaozara LGA won the race. Pundits maintained that, such was a welcomed development noting that it reflected on Equity considering the fact that the both zones, Ebonyi North and Central has ruled the State.
In 2019 Election, many political armoured cars across Ebonyi showed interest to vie for the post of Governorship. Engr David Umahi Ebonyi State Governor, who was vying for another 4yrs, campaigned vigorously, maintaining that he deserves a second term in office on the ground that Ebonyi North and Central respectively ruled for 8yrs. And it would be unfair to deny Ebonyi South such right. Commentators, political pundits and Civil Society Organizations maintained that, amidst the adjudged negative side of Engr David Umahi, he deserves a second term in office like others to balance the political equation.
Evidently, In APC primary election, to buttress that many Ebonyians doesn't acknowledge the idea of zoning or charter of equity hitherto, contested to slug it out with Engr David Umahi in PDP. Arch Edward Nkwegu of Izzi, Ebonyi North Zone, Prof Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh of Ezza North, Ebonyi Central zone, Chief Austin Igwe Edeze of Izzi, Ebonyi North Zone featured in the primary Election. They did allow Christain Chukwu, Chief Obasi Ogbonnaya, Engr Paul Okorie who hail from South to contest the primary alone. This act depicts that, zoning formula is an illusion or mere expression in the minds of Ebonyians. If the charter of equity is the thrust of Ebonyi politics, the aforementioned personality would have not contest in the primary. This got many questioning the rationale behind the said Charter of Equity. Similarly, it was observed that in the 2019 Gubernatorial Election, Barr Ndubuisi Chibueze Onwe Agbo of Ohaukwu, Ebonyi North zone equally contested under Social Democratic Party against Ebonyi South candidate.
As the 2023 election is approaching with many political gladiators tossing their head in readiness to display their political prowess, the Zoning formula has formed a major political discourse. Many argued that, considering the fact that all the Senatorial zone's in Ebonyi has ruled Ebonyi for 8yrs respectively, the Zoning formula will not repeat itself as it will be based on who get what, when and how. Some averred that, it is only those who have connection, financial muscle and acquitted with nitty gritty in the politics would possibly rule Ebonyi as the fourth Civilian Governor irrespective of party affiliation. While some maintained that zoning formula will continue from Ebonyi North and go round again, others said that such is a cock and bull story. Other school of thought were of the opinion that Ebonyi should convoke a summit to agree on what the politics of 2023 should be like.
Away from the centre politics of Ebonyi State, taking cognizance of the political happenstances in Ebonyi North Senatorial zone where zoning formula in the Senatorial Seat was the order of the day which was allegedly hatched by the erstwhile Governor, Sen Dr Sam Ominyi Egwu, power rotation seems to be the practical politics among the 4 LGAs that made up the Zone. Namely; Ebonyi, Abakaliki, Ohaukwu and Izzi LGA. Among the four giant LGAs, only Ebonyi LGA is yet to produce a Senator. Abakaliki had Late Sen Mbam Nshii and Late Polycarp Nwite. Izzi had Sen Silvanus Nguji Ngele, Late Sen Andrew Nwankwo and Sen Chris Nwankwo. Ohaukwu had Sen Anthony Oduma Agbo and Sen Sam Ominyi Egwu who is serving his second term now and allegedly nursing ambition to go for 3rd term. Sen Dr Sam Egwu was alleged to have used political tactics to take the assumed chance of Ebonyi LGA who are yet to perceive the odour of Senate House since the creation of Ebonyi State in 1996. Many frowned on the emergence of Sen Sam Egwu for the Second time and advocated during the party primary and general election that for equity to propel in Ebonyi North, Sen Sam Egwu should allow Ebonyi LGA to produce a Senator, but unfortunately, power is not given but taken. People like Chief Goddy Ogbaga rooted so much against the decision of Sam Egwu and when he perceived that he can't stop Sam Egwu in PDP, he joined APC so as to make sure that Ebonyi LGA take what belongs to them but he couldn't scale through. However, Chief Ojemba from Ebonyi LGA under PDP who was alleged to be in-law to the embattled former National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus ignored the powers that be and contested the PDP Senatorial primary against Sen Sam Egwu. His quest and ambition was buried as the power holders and Juggernauts from Ebonyi who thought it that, it would be unabashed to watch the first civilian Governor been schemed out from Ebonyi politics by Ojemba and his sponsors, rallied around Sam Egwu in a keenly contested and alleged baised primary as professed by some party faithfuls. At the end, Sen Sam Egwu emerged as the Party Candidate. Ipso facto, the people of Izzi nation decided to re-strategize in order to reclaim the mandate and fielded Chief Mathias Adum of Ebonyi LGA under APC to combat with Sam Egwu to ensure that power rotation which Sam Egwu was the alleged pathfinder came to pass in Ebonyi LGA, but the permutation didn't see the light of the day as Sen Sam Egwu beat him behind the bar in the election. These and more were some of the reasons why many keep questioning the probability of maintaining equity or zoning formula in Ebonyi come 2023 using Ebonyi North as a case study.
If the undocumented Zoning formula in Ebonyi should continue in 2023, it is going to favour Izzi Extraction of Ebonyi who has three LGAs, namely; Abakaliki, Izzi and Ebonyi LGA respectively in Ebonyi North Senatorial District since Ohaukwu which is one of the LGAs in Ebonyi North has produced the first Civilian Governor of the State who governed for 8yrs and handed over in 2007. Although insinuations from different quarters has it that the kindred dichotomy and other seen and unforseen circumstances in Izzi will not not water ground for the emergence of an Izzian as the Gubernatorial candidate or Governor of Ebonyi State, but some youths in Izzi countered the assertion stating that Izzi are united for 2023. Whether united or divided, Izzi still have a long way to go if they are prepared to take over the baton from Engr Dave Umahi considering the intrigues, division by political players in the area. Ezza Ezekuna on their part are also strategizing ahead of 2023 to take the shot on the ground that they are the eldest in the State and has suffered setback politically. The unfortunate incident that took the life of one their credible candidate Engr Fidelis Nweze wrecked havoc on their 2023 ambition, but that notwithstanding, there are other saleable candidate to front in 2023 election from the clan. As at today, the body language of Gov Umahi is yet to be determined, though he said that nobody from Ebonyi South under APC will contest for Guber seat in 2023 which was the reason why APC Chairmanship position was zoned to Ebonyi South Senatorial District. With this, it then means that the struggle is for Ebonyi Central and North. Whether he would hand over to Ezza man or Izzi man is still tentative, but time shall tell.
In PDP, many are said to be eyeing the seat, but the stalwarts through the erstwhile caretaker Chairman Fred Udeogu disclosed that the party after some deliberation has meticulously zoned the Guber seat to Abakaliki Bloc which comprises: Ikwo, Ezaa, Izhi, Ohaukwu and Igboesaa (Ishielu). This generated a lot of controversies then as some non grounded political youths from Izhi fumed over the decision, urging PDP to state the particular zone not Bloc per se. For pundits, the decision of PDP is square peg is in a square hole as pronouncing a particular zone may brew crisis in the party.
While the clock is vicious slowly and faster towards the 2023 game, Ebonyians are keenly watching, likewise outsiders to see what will really play out, whether Politics of zoning will continue in 2023 or will be discarded since all the zones has tested the stool of Governorship in the state.
Arguably, zoning formula may not be achievable as many are using it to form basis for their campaign. Power is not given base on emotions. Ebonyi is now bigger, larger, wiser and more exposed. What is obtainable in the yester years may not be obtainable again. Pundits said that it would be better and easier for a carmel to pass through the hole of the needle than zoning Formula be realisable in Ebonyi 2023.
On personal note, let me muffle this piece with an Ngbo adage that says: The first to wake in the morning, will definitely be the first to be circumcised.
𝐀𝐦𝐛 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧'𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨 𝐍𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐢.
