HURIWA asks Ekweremadu to withdraw from Enugu guber

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, asked the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to withdraw from the 2023 governorship race in Enugu State, to allow a younger politician to take over from Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, while the ex-lawmaker pursues higher ambition.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, reiterated that it is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial Zone to produce the next governor of the state and that zoning has been part of Enugu politics since the return of democracy in 1999.

The group noted that zoning is constitutional, being a reflection of the principle of federal character, justice, fairness and equity.

HURIWA’s statement followed the inaccurate alarm raised by the Ekweremadu’s campaign group, Ikeoha Campaign Organisation, over the alleged persecution of its supporters in Enugu.

Reacting, HURIWA said: “Former Senate President, Ekweremadu, should not allow his personal ambition to push him into saying things that are not accurate, because there is nothing like political persecution in Enugu. The ex-lawmaker should not claim persecution because he is running a lost contest and should not raise false alarm to curry public pity.

“The facts are there in the public sphere. It is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial Zone to produce the next governor of the state and anything outside that is inciting political violence because the people are not foolish.”

“Recall that earlier in February 2022, Ugwuanyi, former governor of Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, as well as his successor, Chief Sullivan Chime, unanimously agreed to the principle of zoning, saying the principle of zoning of key political offices has been sustained in Enugu since 1999.

“Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, from Enugu East zone, was the governor of the state from 1999 to 2007, followed by Sullivan Chime from Enugu West zone from 2007 to 2015, while the incumbent Ugwuanyi, from 2015 to 2023, is from Enugu North. Automatically, it is the turn of Enugu East to produce the next governor in 2022 and not Enugu West, where Ekweremadu comes from. Anything other than that will lead to political chaos and deep-seated resentment.

“To put the record straight, contrary to claims by Ekweremadu, Enugu is currently witnessing good governance and Ugwuanyi has even been applauded by the Army and many people as the most peaceful governor.

“Ekweremadu ought to check his ambition to be governor against the agreed zoning formula in Enugu State.”