As Nigerians count down to the 2023 General Elections, the zone to produce the next Governor of Enugu State seems to be heating up the State especially within the ranks of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
The present Governor of the State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is of the PDP and from the Nsukka speaking people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone is a product of a zoning formula that ensured that power rotates amongst the three Senatorial zones.
The two other Zones, Enugu East and Enugu West had had their turns in the persons of Dr. Chimaraoke Nnamani and Bar. Sullivan Chime.
Chief (Hon) Dubem ONYIA, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and an Elder statesman in Enugu State says the present contestations on where the next Governor should come from, is avoidable, stressing that as one of the founding fathers of the present Enugu State, he would not watch, folding his hands, as Enugu is engulfed in turmoil.
Chief ONYIA , a former Federal Parliamentarian said that as one of the Converners of the State “it is my duty to ensure that there is peace, tranquility and brotherlines in the state”.
He noted that earlier in 2014 in a caucus meeting of stakeholders in Enugu State, he moved a motion for the office of Governor of the State to rotate amongst the three Senatorial zones of the State.
According to Chief ONYIA, he had made a passionate appeal that for Enugu State to have peace and for justice and fairness to reign, there was need for the highest political office in the state to rotate amongst the three Senatorial zones.
He noted that his motion was overwhelmingly endorsed at the meeting attended by the then State Governor, Sullivan Chime, Senators, House of Representatives Members, former governors, PDP state leadership and other stakeholders in the State.
The motion which states that after Enugu North Senatorial Zone, it will be the turn of Enugu East Zone, according to him “was in the minutes of the PDP caucus meeting which was adopted in it’s subsequent meeting.”
Chief ONYIA said following the adoption of his motion, Enugu North was then endorsed to produce the Governorship candidate that saw Hon. Ugwuanyi elected into office.
Chief ONYIA said it should be the turn of Enugu East now to produce the next candidate for the party. According to him ” I am appealing to PDP Enugu State to allow Enugu East to take their turn. It will be very unfair, illogical and against the rules of equity for another zone to aspire to produce the Governorship candidate when Enugu East has now waited for 16 years since it had its turn”
” I am and will always be in support of a rancour free transition in the interest of the unity of the State.
Chief ONYIA said he will continue to support all efforts to sustain peace equity and progress in the State.
