Politics
Anambra Guber Poll: Group Harps On Zoning
A pressure group Equity Movement in Anambra, has appealed for a power shift to the southern part of the state as the contest for the November 2021 governorship poll gears up.
The Chairman of the group, Gaius Ezeh, made the appeal at a stakeholders’ forum in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state yesterday.
According to him, allowing power to shift to Anambra South Senatorial zone will ensure equity, fair play, justice and peace, as well as socio-economic and political growth of the state.
“I want to appeal to political parties and aspirants from Anambra Central and North Senatorial zones to allow only those from Anambra South to contest in the November 2021 governorship poll in the state.
“In the 2017 governorship election in the state, almost all political parties zoned their governorship position to the North Senatorial District as the zone had never produced a governor for the state.
“Anambra Central Senatorial District did three years and 10 months under Dr. Chris Ngige, and eight years under Mr. Peter Obi. So, the zone held the governorship for almost 12 years.
“Therefore, for equity, all political parties must now consider the Southern zone in the 2021 poll. Equity demands that the South should have it.
“We also believe that adherence to the zoning agreement will reduce the cost of politicking and problems that comes with do or die politics,” he said.
Ezeh said the group would continue to propagate the rotation of office of the governor among the three senatorial zones of Anambra North, South and Central.
Also speaking, an elder statesman and First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, lamented the high number of aspirants from the Anambra South Senatorial zone.
Amechi urged the aspirants to coordinate behind a single candidate from the zone, who had credibility, proven integrity, sound education, competence and would prioritise the welfare of the people.
In his views, Sen. Nnamdi Eriobuna, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 1999 to 2003, said that Anambra South was due to produce the next governor.
Eriobuna urged aspirants from the zone to coordinate themselves and work towards winning at their various party primary elections.
“After the primaries, we can now scale the number of candidates from the South zone and endorse a candidate that would contest in the election,” he said.
Some aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra South Senatorial zone, who attended the forum were Mr Valentine Ozigbo, the former Managing Director of Transcorp.
Dr. Ifedi Okwenna who served as Special Assistant (Political) to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was also in attendance.
Another aspirants on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), Group Capt. Nnamdi Nnoruka, and some traditional rulers also graced the occasion.
Mr Rhodes-Vivour expressed concern over the development, saying a dangerous precedent was being set.
He said: “What we witnessed at the House of Assembly represents a troubling pattern where might is increasingly valued over right. This forceful seizure of the legislative chambers undermines the very foundations of our democracy and sends a disturbing message about how power is wielded in our state.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour criticised the ruling party in Lagos, accusing it of systematically promoting thuggery and violence over ideas.
He argued that such actions have eroded public trust in governance and weakened democratic values that should preserve the rule of law.
He said: “For too long, Lagos politics has been defined by intimidation rather than inspiration, by coercion rather than conviction. The ruling party has consistently demonstrated a willingness to use force to have its way notwithstanding the popular will of the people.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour urged Lagosians to take the current crisis as a wake-up call ahead of future elections, saying voters should prioritise candidates who demonstrate character, competence and compassion regardless of party affiliation.
“The quality of our democracy depends entirely on the quality of individuals we elect to represent us. Lagosians deserve leaders who view public office as a sacred trust rather than a platform for personal aggrandizement”, he said.
In a statement, signed by its spokesman, Mr Chika Adiele, the group warned that the judiciary would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
They expressed shock over the verdict, warning that it could disrupt the peace and development efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the pan-Niger Delta Youths Empowerment Forum, under the leadership of Comrade Maobu Nangi Obu, has been drawn to the shocking verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ordering seizure of Rivers State’s allocation. This is nothing short of economic sabotage against Rivers people.
“The apex Niger Delta youths body is dismayed by the infantile antics of anti-democratic forces whose stock in trade is brewing crisis in a bid to topple the people’s Governor. We firmly condemn this judgement as it is against the tenet of the constitution of Nigeria.
“It is an invitation to war and against equity, justice, and fair play. We equally condemn the order nullifying the local government election as reckless and vindictive.
“Unfortunately, the justices of the Supreme Court positioned themselves as a party to the suit rather than impartial arbiters of justice.”
They urged Nigerians to note that the principle of democracy is rooted in sound constitutional pronouncements with a view to establishing justice. “Therefore, any attempt by the enemies of Rivers people to seize power by judicial fiat will be resisted by the Niger Delta youths.
“We cannot be cowed, neither shall we lay in surrender at the altar of political manipulations of rascals. We reiterate boldly, once again, that anyone, no matter how highly placed, will face fierce resistance by the majority of Rivers people,” they said.
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, to withdraw her suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking during a live television interview on Saturday, Senator Olujimi said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Senator Akpabio, the senate president, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Senator Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Senator Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Senator Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live was a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Senator Akpabio.
She said Senator Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually made fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible”, Senator Olujimi said.