2023 Guber: Enugu Group Wants Rotation To Continue

A socio-cultural association, the Nkanu People’s Assembly, Thursday, called for the sustenance of the rotational principle of governorship positions in Enugu State for ever-lasting peace.

The assocaition, in a letter made available to THE WHISTLER in Enugu, said any move to the contrary would ‘jeopardise the peace, unity and conviviality hitherto experienced in the state’ since 1991.

Advertisement

The letter, signed by HRH Igwe Abel Nwobodo, Prof Osita Ogbu, Chief Festus Ani and Hon Osita Ogene, the group’s national president, national secretary, national deputy president and national PRO respectively, stated that those advocating for the discontinuation of the principle were doing so ‘based on flimsy and self-serving reasons and certainly not in the overall interest of the state’.

According to the group, “The founding fathers of the state fought for and succeeded in enthroning the rotation principle which selected Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo (from Enugu north zone) as the first governor of the state. This was on the account that the first elected governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, is from Enugu East senatorial zone, while the second elected governor, Chief CC Onoh, was from Enugu West zone. As a result of the palpable benefits, the people of Enugu State bought into it and sustained it till date.”

The assembly also reminded those that want to scuttle the principle that, “Rotation has become a constitutional principle in Nigeria embedded in the Federal Character Principle to promote national unity, foster national loyalty and give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging.”

It also recalled that the principle had been maintained in the state, noting that, “After an interlude of military rule, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, from Enugu East zone, was elected governor in 1999. In 2007, Barr Sullivan Chime from Enugu West was elected governor. HE Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from Enugu North zone was elected in 2015.

Advertisement

“Therefore, for equity, justice, and fair play to continue to prevail, the next governor of Enugu State, come 2023, should come from Enugu-East senatorial zone. Any attempt to truncate the existing rotational system and plunge the state into chaos by any unscrupulous person or persons will be positively resisted and stopped.”

THE WHISTLER reports that Enugu-East senatorial zone is made up of Isi-Uzo, Enugu-East, Enugu-North, Enugu-South, Nkanu-East and Nkanu-West LGAs.

Leave a comment

Advertisement