Nnamani claimed that Ekweremadu’s governorship quest in 2023 had ended with the decision of state’s political leaders to elect the next governor from Enugu East, but Ekweremadu’s loyalists faulted the zoning formula.
The former governor maintained that political leaders in the state have resolved that the zoning of the governorship position to Enugu East Senatorial District remained sacrosanct.
He listed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Okwesilieze Nwodo, former President of the Senate, Ken NNamani, former governor, Sullivan Chime as those who have affirmed that it was the turn of Enugu East to produce the next governor in 2023.
“The principle of zoning of key political offices have been sustained in the state since 1999. Nnamani from (Enugu East) was governor from 1999 to 2007, followed by Sullivan Chime (Enugu West) from 2007 to 2015, while the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from 2015 to 2023 is from Enugu North,” he said.
The latest position of Enugu elders might have put paid to Ekweremadu’s governorship ambition, just as Nnamani restated that justice and fairness demanded that the zoning principle be respected, stressing: “It has fostered peace and harmony while giving every zone a sense of belonging.
“Having reviewed the stand of the elders and statesmen, which included four former governors and a former President of the Senate, I am convinced that Ugwuanyi and the political leaders will be guided by a sense of history and conscience in picking the next governor of the state from Enugu East zone.”
But Ekweremadu’s loyalists under the aegis of the Enugu Rescue Group (ERG) faulted Nnamani over his claims that a purported zoning arrangement invalidated former the Deputy President of the Senate in his quest to contest the 2023 governorship poll, saying there was never a time Enugu people zoned its gubernatorial position.
The group cautioned those preparing to flaunt a purported zoning document to remember that forgery was a serious offence under Nigerian laws.
Describing the purported zoning agreement as fictitious and conspiracy of the elite to grab power and deny Enugu people quality governance, the group reminded the Nnamani that gang-up politics does not work in Enugu State.
In a swift reaction, National Coordinator of ERG, Hon. Ejike Iloh, wondered when Nnamani became the spokesperson of former governors and elders of the state, adding: “We make bold to say that by verifiable records on contests for the governorship of Enugu State since 1999, there is nothing like zoning principle in the state.
“Power has gone round the three geopolitical zones, but it was not based on any predefined zoning principle, as Nnamani seeks to sell to the people.
“Above all, where was the so-called zoning in 2011 when Chimaroke Nnamani formed the Peoples Democratic Congress (PDC), fielded Dr. Dan Shere and waged a ferocious political warfare to dislodge former Governor Chime from Enugu West? He asked.
