Abia North should produce next governor in 2023, ex-gov insists

Group supports Ugwuanyi on zoning of Enugu guber, others
Against the zoning of next governor to Abia North and Abia Central Senatorial districts announced by the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former governor Theodore Orji has insisted that the next governor should come from Abia North Senatorial zone.

In a statement issued, yesterday, he said the governorship position should revert to Abia North after it would have rotated among the three zones by May 2023; as encapsulated in the Abia Charter of Equity document prepared by the state founding fathers in their quest for the creation of the state.

He said his argument followed reports on the zoning of the Abia State governorship position in 2023, adding: “Let me state categorically clear that my earlier position on the subject matter remains sacrosanct.

“Those working to cause crisis in Abia State should embrace peace, have a rethink and sustain the peace in the state, as anybody’s ambition should not be elevated above the overall interest of the state.”

There have been attempts to scuttle the rotation among the three senatorial zones with the Ukwa Ngwa Bloc and Old Aba Province demanding zoning on the ground that it would allow their kinsman to serve another eight years after Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s tenure to balance the 16 years in which the non-Ukwa Ngwa of the Old Bende Province ruled the state.

BESIDES, a socio-cultural group in Enugu North Senatorial District, Nsukka Ezue, has expressed willingness to support the zoning arrangement of the governorship position in Enugu State.

The group, comprising members of the six councils that make up Enugu North Senatorial District in a statement issued, yesterday, stated that they supported Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s position to ensure seamless and peaceful transition in the state come 2023.

In the statement issued by its Chairman, Prof. Damian Opata and Director General, Political Affairs, Chineme Onyeke, the group expressed support for Ugwuanyi’s position on the zoning agreement, as it had been practiced since 1999.

“The next governor should come from Enugu East Senatorial District, since it is their turn to based on the zoning arrangement,” it added.