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Tag: zoning

  • ‘No zoning in Plateau’

    ‘No zoning in Plateau’

    Former Plateau State Deputy Governor Chief Jethro Akun has said there is no zoning formula in the state.

    Akun, who wants to contest next year’s governorship election, said Plateau people elect their governor based on merit, rather than zoning.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Jos, the state capital, he said: “Zoning has never been used in the emergence of civilian governors in the state since 1979. Starting from the election of the first civilian governor, the late Chief Solomon Lar, the three zones always produce their candidates and Plateau people choose the best.

    “So governorship elections in the state have been on merit and quality candidate. There was never a time any of the zone was deprived of the opportunity to govern the state based on zoning formula.

    “The 2015 governorship election, therefore, should not be determined by zoning. I strongly advocate that, in the spirit of true democracy, the three zones should freely make available their candidates for the contest.

    “I am contesting the governorship from Plateau Central Zone, not because it is our turn but because I am one of the best leaders from the zone and I want the electorate to elect me based on what they know I can do for the state.

    “Aspirants should drop their belief in the zoning advantage and reach out to other zones because no single tribe can install a governor without the agreement of other tribes.”

    Akun promised to re-enact the “emancipation agenda” of the late Lar and consolidate on Governor Jonah Jang’s “redemption programme for genuine and inclusive development”.

  • Abia 2015: Zoning of governorship seat splits Ngwa Lawyers Forum

    The progressive group of Ngwa Lawyers Forum (NLF) has distanced itself from recent newspaper reports alleging that the umbrella body of its association has thrown its weight behind zoning the gubernatorial position in the state to Abia South Senatorial zone.

    In a statement signed by the Interim Chairman, Chief Okey Onwukwe, and Interim General Secretary, Jiakponna , the group said there is no iota of truth in the stories making the rounds currently and therefore called on Abia people to disregard such report because it did not represent the position of NLF on the controversial issue of zoning in the state.

    ‘’We the progressive group of Ngwa Lawyers Forum has surprisingly noted series of publications of mischievous resolution supporting zoning of governorship position in the state to Abia South Senatorial zone which does not represent the position of NLF.’’

    Describing the development as misleading, the statement further said that those behind the reports were mischief makers who are plotting to use the good name of the association as a platform to perpetrate their selfish interests.

    The statement however, disclosed that the only zoning arrangement endorsed by the NLF is that power should rotate along the lines of either Ukwa Ngwa or old Aba division respectively.

    According to the statement, NLF was established to promote unity, equity and justice and cannot therefore be associated with acts designed to smear its reputation and discredit its activities.

    The statement noted that the exclusion of Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma Local Government Areas by the current zoning arrangement purportedly endorsed by the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, amounted to a grand design to undermine the chances of highly qualified Ngwa sons and daughters who have already indicated interest of running for the coveted seat to emerge the next governor of Abia state in the forthcoming election.

    The group, according to the statement has uncovered a plot by what it called paid agents to use misinformation to cause confusion among its members in other to weaken the association’s strength and crash its credibility.

    Emphasising that zoning is an ill wind that will blow no good to Abia politics, the group also reminded the proponents of the exclusion of three local government areas of Ngwa extraction that NLF was built on integrity and would not allow its name to be used to promote injustice and illegality no matter the circumstance.

    It would be recalled that political leaders of Ngwa extraction been divided over recent reports that some elements are insisting that the three local government areas are excluded from PDP’s promise to zone it’s governorship ticket to Ukwa/Ngwa zone.

  • Why we upheld zoning for elections,by lawyers

    Why we upheld zoning for elections,by lawyers

    LAWYERS  have spoken on their last election, citing reasons for respecting zoning.

    Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN), who is from the Midwest Forum, was elected the 27th President, even though the post was zoned to the Western Forum, popularly known as Egbe Amofin. The leaders have also put to rest the fear of Mid-West Bar Forum in the zoning.

    The Nigeria bar association (NBA) rotates the Presidency among the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), the Western Lawyers Forum popularly called the Egbe Amofin and the Arewa Lawyers Forum also called Arewa. Under this arrangement, each zone chooses its candidate  and sends the name to others for voting.

    The arrangement fared well till the regime of Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), when agitation for the creation of  more zones, began to get attention  from  Bar leaders. This made Agbakoba to constitute a committee  headed by the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim.The submitted its report, but it was not ratified by the then National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA before its tenure ended.

    The agitation continued under Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), who called a meeting of the Bar leaders to discuss the issue. The meeting, according to some lawyers, did not take a definite position while others argued that the meeting resolved that the Midwest and  Egbe Amofin are one. They were asked to go home to resolve how they would have their slot whenever the Presidency of the Bar comes to the West.

    In 2012, the leadership of the Midwest Bar Forum visited Egbe Amofin in Ibadan to discuss this matter and the Egbe Amofin received them warmly, promising to give them their  slot in 2020.

    The Midwest frowned at this position because, according to them, Egbe Amofin has taken its slots under the regimes of Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). To the Midwestern Forum,  asking them to wait for eight years was unjust and inequitable.

    They left and promised to revert to Egbe Amofin after discussing with their people. However, they did not report to EgbeAmofin; rather, they went ahead and contested the election feilding Augustine Alegeh (SAN) and won.

    Against this backdrop, a section of the Bar said zoning was not respected in the election and as such, had been set aside. But leaders of the NBA fora are of different view. They believe that no outsider contested the election. All the four Presidential candidates, according to them, were members of the Western Lawyers Forum and were eligible for the position.

    The Secretary of Egbe Amofin, Mr. Ranti Ajeleti said: “First, I am speaking as an individual not as the Secretary of Egbe Amofin.Having said that, I would say the zoning arrangement was not strictly adhered to, but on a second and deeper thought and with equity being the fulcrum,  I would say the Mid-West is part of Western Region. Rather than being complacent the Mid-West fought its way into uniting with the Egbe. Consequently since the winner did not come from outside the Western Region, we can say the zoning was respected.”

    He continued: “But from my own personal perspective, the main object of arranging the zoning was not achieved.  To the critics of the zoning arrangement that it is undemocratic, I disagree with them because thepresent collegiate system is not democratic at all. A much more democratic system would have been one lawyer one vote and not the collegiate system. I personally subscribe to the zoning system for two main reasons among others.   To reduce the cost of electioneering, it is on record that the last Bar election in terms of cost to each of the presidential candidates, would compare favourably with Nigerian Presidential election  spending.

    “Candidates spent fortunes  in their electioneering campaigns. Considering the risk of traversing Nigeria, the candidates visited over 100  branches, criss-crossing the whole Nigeria; going into villages, towns, and homes of opinion makers and supposedly Bar leaders. They attended weddings, burial ceremonies, social outings of   supposedly influential members of the Bar in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria, even when they  were uninvited. Some even went as far as contacting non-Lawyers, who they thought could help them contact renowned Lawyers to support their aspirations. The risk of accident on the Nigerian roads, which I had cause to  describe as “slaughter slabs”. Why playing “Russian Roulette,”Ajeleti asked?

    “About two months to the election,” Ajeleti said: “We made a last-minute effort to let the contestants from our zone see reasons.We held a meeting at Ikorodu in Lagos State.  Our hosts, Chiefs Benson (SAN), Sofola (SAN), Bandele Aiku (SAN), Afro Fayokun, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Wole Olanipekun (SAN)  with some top members of the Bar were there. The candidates refused to see reasons.  We left the venue about 8 p.m. and   headed for Ibadan, taking the old Ikorodu-Ogijo- Shagamu Road to link Shagamu-Ibadan Expressway.

    “We aimed at getting to  Ibadan within an hour or thereabout, but soon after we left, we got into a gridlock and did not reach Ogijo – a distance of less than 20 kilometres from Ikorodu, until about midnight,” he explained.

    Narrating their experience, Ajeleti said shortly after the gridlock a vehicle speeding furiously from the opposite direction almost collided with their vehicle. “It missed our car by an inch, but Chief Priscila Kuye’s vehicle was not so lucky.  Her vehicle was directly behind us. The on-coming vehicle brushed the driver’s side, scraped  the mirror and pushed the Mercedes Benz  Saloon car off the road into a ditch, causing its front tyre to burst.”

    He said the incident made them to get to Ibadan very late. “We did not get home until about 2.00 a.m. It occurred to me that this was what each contestant was faced in the course of the campaign. But was this worth it?Do we have to wait until the preventable happens? he asked.

    He recalled that when the “Egbe” picked Akeredolu in 2008, he did not spend one per cent of what each of the last presidential candidate spent. Each candidate, he said,  had to attend “Bar week” of every branch and  drop a token for them.

    “Should it be? Strictly speaking,  the regional fora  did not play any role in the last presidential election.  My study showed that the five presidential candidates had good outings across the nation. For instance Akintola (SAN) captured the votes of Benue State; Osas Erhabor captured Ilesa and Ife while Adesina (SAN) did well in Owerri, Adekoya( SAN)  did well in Kaduna and Alegeh (SAN)  did well in Port Harcourt,” he said.

    Comparing candidates’ performances, Ajeleti said Akintola and Erhabor did not do well in the elections. “I agree they could not have done better,  I wouldn’t know when the duo started nurturing the ambition of becoming NBA President, but they started their campaign  barely a year ago while the likes of Mrs. Adekoya and Adesina had openly expressed their interest over eight years ago,” he said.

    On whether the zoning arrangement should be laid to rest, Ajeleti said: “ I may not be expressing an opinion I will be talking about the realities on the ground.  Now that it is the turn of the Arewa, they will want zoning to remain and the Eastern Bar, which would be the next beneficiary after Arewa, would want it to stay. But  the Egbe that burnt its fingers  would want it discarded,  particularly those who lost out this year might want to try their luck in two years time.”

    On whether it is necessary to strengthen  zoning, Ajeleti said: “ If we cannot strengthen zoning,  then we should go back to universal adult suffrage, which would reduce the influence of money.  It would be difficult to buy all voters. Right now, it is very easy to buy the chairman of a branch, who would choose delegates during election. Principally I adopt totally the analysis of my good friend, Prof. Odinkalu, on the last election, particularly his recommendations.”

    The EBF Chairman, Mr. Ogbonna O. Igwenyi, said: “The arrangement was well respected in the last elections because all the five candidates that contested  for  NBA Presidency came from the defunct Western Region of Nigeria. None came from another region. That was in agreement with the unwritten design of the NBA,  to give each region the opportunity to govern the body. It does not matter to the association from which section of the region the candidate comes from,  provided the person comes from the zone that has the chance to provide candidates to be voted.

    On whether the regional fora, such as Arewa, Eastern Bar Forum(EBF) and Egbe Omofin, played any role in the last election, Igwenyi said: “My answer is yes. This is because it was the turn of the West to present to us one of their own as the preferred candidate. EBF waited and refused to endorse any of the contestants for the office of President. We had candidates of our choice for most of the elective offices, but for the Presidency, we did not.”

    According to him, the reason for not adopting any of them stemmed from the fact that EBF had no mandate to choose for them who to endorse for the office. “Besides, as they say, it would amount to taking a pain reliever for another person’s headache,” he said.

    He continued: “When they failed to endorse any of them, we from EBF decided that we shall vote according to our conscience for the office of president. Don’t forget, we had our ears to the ground when it became an open contest for the Presidential hopefuls. All the candidates campaigned vigorously in all the branches of the EBF before the election,  hence we were able to note their relative strengths  and weaknesses.’’

    Austine Alegeh,  Igwenyi said, carried the day because he came from the West and had a section of that region, Mid West, behind him. “Even though we did not adopt Alegeh, we knew that he had an edge over his opponents. He is unassuming, intelligent, unpretentious and open to suggestions to move the Bar forward. Above all, his men knew how to talk to their colleagues in a delicate electoral process. I guess, Arewa and  a good portion of the Egbe bought into the Alegeh project for the reasons I have stated. Some will tell you that Alegeh spent a lot on the campaigns, but I stand to correct that impression. All of them except  O. J. Erhabor did,” he said.

    The best candidate, Igweni said, won. “Zonal arrangement in electing NBA president cannot be compromised in any election. When Mrs  Adekoya contested against the candidate of the EBF many years ago, the zone took it to heart. The misadventure played out in the last election as most leaders in the East considered that affront dangerous to be forgiven so soon, the rest is now  history,” he said.

    Igweni noted that in two years, the pendulum would swing to the North and any candidate not of Arewa extraction would fail. “Die hard opportunists can try their hands, but it will not change anything. Zoning has been canonised, any day it is brought to the floor of NEC for reaffirmation, you can only hear muffled descent, but the result will be landslide,” Igwenyi said.

    Assessing the election, the Chairman, Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF), M. A. Abubakar, said: “There is a need for one to understand the workings of the zoning arrangement before one ventures a response. Yes, zoning was respected in the sense that we all appreciated that it was the turn of the West to produce the President of the NBA this time around.”

    According to him, difficulties were encountered by the West in their inability to present a single candidate to the other Fora to support, which had the effect of throwing   the election open in the region.

    Voters, he said, voted for candidates of their choice, who were all from the Western Region. “Regional fora really played very significant role as can be seen from the fact that the various meetings the fora held  in the build up to the elections  turned a Mecca of  some sort for all serious candidates,’’ he said.

    Abubakar said zoning still exists because it is in the interest of the NBA to continue with it. “Zoning must be strengthen by revisiting the report of the Committee of Inclusion headed by Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), which was set up  during Olisa Agbakoba’s tenure as President,” Abubakar added.

  • There is zoning in Enugu, says group

    There is zoning in Enugu, says group

    The people of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State have called on  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP and Governor Sullivan Chime to respect the zoning agreement in Enugu State in the interest of fairness and justice.

    A community leader,  Ignatius Onodugo, said the neglect of the pact would lead to the political marginaliation of the area.

    He  said the agreement on the rotation of the House of Representatives slot between Uzo-Uwani and Igbo-Etiti councils in the Nsukka Constituency  is sacrosant, adding that it is the turn of the former to enjoy the slot in the next year’s election.

    The community leader said the  federal legislator from the constituency is trying to tamper with the agreement by mooting a second term agenda.

    Onodugbo said: “In recognition of the historical and brotherly affinity and the need to foster peace and unity between Igbo-Etiti and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas,  some wise men from both areas met in February, 1998 and entered into an agreement that the House of Representatives seat would  rotate among the two brotherly local governments.

    “They further agreed that Igbo-Etiti would produce the first candidate for the seat and this led to the emergence of Hon. Mathias Ozor in 1998 under the platform of the UNCP. However, his tenure was short lived because of the truncation of the Abacha transition programme due to his demise,” he said.

    He added: “Again, in January, 1999, by a broader representation, another agreement was entered into by political leaders from the areas reiterating the need to foster a harmonious co-existence between the two areas by rotating the seat.

    “It was further agreed that Uzo-Uwani LGA shall take the first shot this time around having conceded the position to Igbo-Etiti the previous year but for the truncation of the transition programme.

    “This agreement led to the emergence of Dr. Romanus Ezike from Uzo-Uwani whose election was upturned by the electoral tribunal . He spent only three months in the office and was replaced by Hon. Chris Nnadi from Igbo-Etiti, who now stayed from September 1999 to 2007.”

    “It is instructive to note that, since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999 till date, Uzo-Uwani has served only four years out of the 16 years by 2015 when the incumbent might have completed her tenure making Igbo-Etiti to occupy the position for 12 years leaving Uzo-Uwani with only four years.

    “It is in the interest of the foregoing that we call on all men of goodwill to see the need for an Uzo-Uwani to take the next turn’’.

  • There is zoning in Enugu, says group

    There is zoning in Enugu, says group

    The people of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State have called on  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP and Governor Sullivan Chime to respect the zoning agreement in Enugu State in the interest of fairness and justice.

    A community leader,  Ignatius Onodugo, said the neglect of the pact would lead to the political marginaliation of the area.

    He  said the agreement on the rotation of the House of Representatives slot between Uzo-Uwani and Igbo-Etiti councils in the Nsukka Constituency  is sacrosant, adding that it is the turn of the former to enjoy the slot in the next year’s election.

    The community leader said the  federal legislator from the constituency is trying to tamper with the agreement by mooting a second term agenda.

    Onodugbo said: “In recognition of the historical and brotherly affinity and the need to foster peace and unity between Igbo-Etiti and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas,  some wise men from both areas met in February, 1998 and entered into an agreement that the House of Representatives seat shall rotate among the two brotherly local governments.

    “They further agreed that Igbo-Etiti would produce the first candidate for the seat and this led to the emergence of Hon. Mathias Ozor in 1998 under the platform of the UNCP. However, his tenure was short lived because of the truncation of the Abacha transition programme due to his demise,” he said.

    He added: “Again, in January, 1999, by a broader representation, another agreement was entered into by political leaders from the areas reiterating the need to foster a harmonious co-existence between the two areas by rotating the seat.

    “It was further agreed that Uzo-Uwani LGA shall take the first shot this time around having conceded the position to Igbo-Etiti the previous year but for the truncation of the transition programme.

    “This agreement led to the emergence of Dr. Romanus Ezike from Uzo-Uwani whose election was upturned by the electoral tribunal . He spent only three months in the office and was replaced by Hon. Chris Nnadi from Igbo-Etiti, who now stayed from September 1999 to 2007.”

    “It is instructive to note that, since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999 till date, Uzo-Uwani has served only four years out of the 16 years by 2015 when the incumbent might have completed her tenure making Igbo-Etiti to occupy the position for 12 years leaving Uzo-Uwani with only four years.

    “It is in the interest of the foregoing that we call on all men of goodwill to see the need for an Uzo-Uwani to take the next turn’’.

  • NBA presidency: Agbakoba clarifies position on zoning

    NBA presidency: Agbakoba clarifies position on zoning

    Midwest is yet to be formally approved as part of the West in the zoning arrangement of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidency, former NBA President Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has said.

    In a May 9 letter to NBA President Okey Wali (SAN), Agbakoba said his first letter was misrepresented, with some lawyers claiming that he is aware that the Midwest is part of the West.

    According to him, while it is true that discussions on how to incorporate the Midwest into the West had reached advanced stage, no final decision was taken.

    The letter reads: “I agree that the Midwest is entitled to present a candidate for President. But I also feel bound to preserve our zoning arrangements. My credentials will show that I have always supported our zoning arrangements.

    “In 2008, when the presidency was zoned to the West, I supported the candidate of the West. In 2010 when it was zoned to the North, I supported the candidate of the North. In 2012 when it was zoned to the East I supported the candidate of the East. I have given this support without prejudice to my preferred candidates which indeed I had.

    “You recall that in 2006, when I ran for President and was endorsed by the Eastern Bar, the Western Bar failed to endorse me. The Western Bar even failed to dissuade a candidate from their zone from running. Now that it is turn of the Western Bar, it would have been easy not to support them. But my commitment to our zoning arrangements has not changed.

    “The real issue for me is how we can resolve the Midwest issue so they are adequately accommodated in the NBA zoning arrangements.”

    A former NBA Legal Adviser and an Aba Branch leader, Mr Victor Nwaugo, has faulted a former NBA President Onueze C.J Okocha (SAN) on his position on the zoning.

    Okocha, in his reaction to Agbakoba’s letter to Wali, said the Midwest is part of the West in the zoning arrangement, a position shared by Midwest Bar Forum’s chairman Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), who stated that “both parties have already agreed that they belong to the West.”

    Nwaugo said: “First, Okocha stated clearly that Midwest Bar Forum is part of Western Bar Forum but my question to him is: When was this marriage foisted or consummated? Going by his own statement, he claimed that during Joseph Daudu’s presidency, it was agreed that Midwest was part of the West; he did not tell us at what meeting the agreement was reached.”

    The lawyer said the Midwest Bar Forum, in a communiqué issued on February 11, 2012, signed by R.O Isenalumhe (Acting Chairman) and Edward Aibangbe (Secretary), stated that the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) had set up an elders’ committee to look into Midwest’s agitation to be part of the zoning.

    “Has the so acclaimed elders committee submitted its report, and to whom? Has NEC deliberated on their report? Please, may we be referred to the NEC meeting in question as I can find none having kept all the NEC meetings from 2010 till date.

    “If the Midwest Bar Forum is part of the West, what did they go to do as a group on July 11, 2012 at Chief Bandele Aiku’s residence?

    “Are Okocha and Orbih telling us that the Midwest Bar did not go to Aiku’s residence as stated by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) with a request to be considered as part of the Western Bar Forum? The Midwest Bar cannot foist their wish on existing and established fora like Eastern Bar Forum, Arewa Lawyers Forum and Western Bar Forum.

    “Chief Orbih in his misunderstanding of what transpired in 2012 presidential election with regard to the Eastern Bar Forum wrongfully believed that Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) contested the election  because the presidency was zoned to East to which he belongs. Let me properly educate Chief Orbih that Ngige ran as an independent candidate against the wish, desire, advice and decision of Eastern Bar Forum.

    “In 2006, Funke Adekoya (SAN) was advised not to run against the zoning formula, but she defied the advice. In 2008 Western Bar Forum and Eastern Bar Forum advised Dele Adesina (SAN) not to run against Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and he listened. We owe him a return.

    “If Midwest Bar feel that 2020 as promised them by their brothers in the Western Bar forum is eternity, let them field that their candidate. A recalcitrant fly is often interred with the corpse,” Nwaugo concluded.

    A member of the Middlebelt Bar Forum, Chief John Ochoga said he has no sympathies for the West “because they are now caught in the web of their own intrigues.”

    “They refused to release the Midwest long ago; they refused to give them independence long ago. If they had released the Midwest, if the inclusion principle is being implemented, we would have told the Midwest to forget it, but for now, we still remain in the old arrangement and Midwest is part of the West.

    “I remember what happened at Warri NEC when the inclusion issue was being discussed. Adekoya resisted it. She said that it would breed mediocrity at the Bar. How can mediocrity be enthroned at the Bar?

    “The Yorubas shot themselves in the foot and they will keep suffering for it. In NBA 2010 election, only one or two Yorubas were elected and in 2012, none of them was elected at all. That is the price for their inconsistency.

    “What happened at Maiduguri NEC is still fresh in my memory. Agbakoba set up a committee to set out the modalities for inclusion at the Bar. The Southwest, which never liked inclusion, frustrated the whole thing.”

    On the way out, Ochoga said: “I sympathise with Adesina because he would have defeated Akeredolu hands down if he had contested the election in 2008. I expect the entire Yoruba race to rally round him now, but true to their type, I learnt that they are not supporting him now.

    “Their total support for him would have made the race easier for him and this present situation wouldn’t have risen at all.

    “My view is that Midwest is part of the West in the current tripod zoning. If the West had embraced the Inclusion Report of the six zones today, Midwest would be resting in the Southsouth. However, of all the candidates, may be the best win.”

  • NBA presidency: Row over zoning

    NBA presidency: Row over zoning

    A letter written by former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President  Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) to the incubent, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), urging the association to retain its zoning of offices is generating ripples. It is the turn of the West to fill the presidential seat, he argues. Agbakoba advises the Midwest to bide its time for the job, an advice which the zone chafes at. Can the Midwest be part of the West in the race for president or is it supposed to wait for its turn? Legal Editor John Austin Unachukwu and JOSEPH JIBUEZE examine the issues.

    The controversy over the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) zoning for the office of its presidency is yet to abate.

    Last week, a former NBA President Olisa Agbakoba urged the association not to depart from zoning arrangement which makes it the Southwest’s turn to produce the next president. He said there could be dire consequences if the Yoruba do not produce the next NBA President as previous one had been elected based on zoning.

    In a letter to NBA President Okey Wali (SAN), Agbakoba said: “I recognise and empathise with the exclusion of the Midwest but it is in our overall interest to maintain the zoning arrangement. I suggest we do not depart from the zoning arrangement but immediately take steps to address the grievances of the Midwest,” Agbakoba wrote.

    A former NBA President Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), while speaking at the Alao Aka-Bashorun annual lecture organised by the Ikeja Branch last week, backed Agbakoba, urging the association not to break the zoning cycle.

    He said the cycle began in 2000 with Onueze C.J Okocha (SAN) (from the East), followed by him (from the West) and Bayo Ojo (from the North). The second cycle had Agbakoba (from the East), Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) (West) and Joseph Daudu (SAN) (North).

    The third cycle, which is ongoing, has Okey Wali (SAN), who hails from the East according to the zoning arrangement. It is the West’s turn again.

    Olanipekun said during the Daudu presidency, agitations were rife for the recognition of additional zones in the NBA, including but not limited to the Midwest zone. He said at the instance of the Midwest Bar leaders, a meeting was held at the Ibadan residence of Chief Dele Aiku (SAN) on July 11, 2012.

    “The Mid-West team was led by Chief Albert Akpomudje, SAN and their simple demand qua request was that for the purpose of the NBA zoning arrangement, the Midwest would want to be part of Southwest.

    “The Southwest leaders welcomed them wholeheartedly, and informed them that they were not averse to their request. They, however, stated that there must be a continuation of the third zoning trip which had already begun (since at that point in time, it was conceded to the Southeast from where Wali and Emeka Ngige (SAN) were the aspirants/candidates); but that when, by the grace of God, the zoning train moves to the Southwest in 2020, the Southwest as it is now would concede it to the Midwest and that nobody from the Southwest shall contest the slot with any candidate or candidates from the Midwest,” Olanipekun said.

    He said as a result of the emergence of the Midwest aspirant for the July election, the stakes have been raised, while the zoning arrangement is being threatened.

    “It thus behoves those of us who are leaders of the NBA, including past Presidents, particularly those who have assumed office through the unwritten zoning agreement to plead for caution and restraint at this point in time.

    “Agbakoba, our 23rd President has done well by coming out in defence of the zoning arrangement, warning that nobody should truncate it at this point in time when its ship is already in the ‘High Seas’, having taken off from the East in 2012, expected to make a stop at the South-West in 2014 and, finally berth in the North in 2016.

    “In any game, particularly, in the game of football, the goalpost is never shifted, extended or contrasted in the middle of the game. In life itself, our words should be honoured and respected. Honouring gentleman’s agreement does not need any rocket science aid; rather, all it needs is our resolve to honour our conscience,” Olanipekun said.

    But the Midwest insists that it is part of the Southwest and therefore can field a candidate. Chairman of the Midwest Bar Forum (MBF), Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), said it was agreed in 2012 that both the MBF and the Egbe Amofin belong to the West.

    Reacting to Agbakoba’s letter to Wali, MBF said: “We would not want to believe that the letter under reference was indeed written by Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN). Our disbelief stems from the fact that at a meeting held in March, 2012 to address the legitimate demands and aspiration of the Midwest Bar Forum for the NBA presidential slot, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba submitted a written position wherein he clearly stated that for the purpose of the zoning of the NBA presidency, both the Midwest Bar Forum and Egbe Amofin belong to the West.

    “The meeting was presided over by Mr. J.B. Daudu (SAN) and was attended by prominent Bar leaders including Chief T.J.Okpoko (SAN), and Chief Bandele Aiku (SAN), who represented the Midwest Bar Forum and the Egbe Amofin respectively.

    “In fact, it is unthinkable that a man of his status would turn around to take a contrary position because of his support for a particular candidate and /or the exigencies of the present election.

    “It is important to note that there is no Southwest in the informal zoning configuration of the NBA as far as the office of the presidency is concerned. For the avoidance of doubt, the three recognised zones are North, East and West (i.e Egbe Amofin and Midwest)

    “In the unlikely event that the letter under reference was indeed written by Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), there is need to remind him that a decision has already be taken by the leaders and elders of the Bar at the aforesaid meeting in Abuja, in March, 2012.

    “At the meeting, the NBA 2014 presidency was zoned to the West, thus leaving the door open for any member of the Midwest Bar Forum or Egbe Amofin to contest the election. The South-West-(Egbe Amofin) and the Midwest Bar Forum have since moved beyond Agbakoba’s partisan position. Both parties have already agreed that they belong to the West.

    “However, the unresolved issue is as to which of the two fora in the West will field a candidate in 2014. Efforts to resolve the question of precedence on the basis of fairness and propriety have not yielded dividend. On that note, the parties concerned have agreed to meet at Phillipi, i.e at the polls for the NBA to choose between the contesting Western (Midwest and Egbe Amofin) candidates. Dr. Agbakoba therefore has every right to vote for his candidate on election day but he has no right to peddle untruth and cry louder than the bereaved.

    “Finally, a leaf must be borrowed from the East where in the last election, candidates from different parts of the zone contested the election. That in our view represents the true spirit of democracy,” Orbih said.

    Aspirants for the presidency are Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN), Mr Augustine  Alegeh (SAN) and Osas Erhabor.

    Agbakoba told The Nation why he wrote the letter. “I acted on principle as a concerned Bar leader. I have no special interest to protect. After all, the western Bar leaders did not support me during my campaigns for NBA Presidency. I, Chief Anyemene and other Bar leaders from the East urged the Western Bar leaders including Chief Olanipeku,   to prevail on Funke Adekoya to step down for me because it was the turn of the East according to the zoning principle, they refused and said that zoning was dead, but the East and the North who believed that zoning was alive voted me and I became President.

    “But that is not the issue now; the issue is that we want to avert problems in the NBA. How did we get into the zoning principle in the first place? It was to avert the type of trouble we had in 1991 which led to the crash of the NBA for years.”

    When reminded that Midwest is taken to be part of the West, Agbakoba said: “They are not,  if they are, why did they  adopt Augustine Alegeh? Why are they not attending Egbe Amofin meetings where other candidates from the West are declaring their interests to contest the election? Why do they have structures at the Mid West Bar including a constitution?

    “They are not part of the West and that is why, during my tenure as NBA President, they wrote a letter to me asking to be recognised as being part of the NBA zoning arrangement. I set up an inclusion committee to address their problems and that of other non included groups, unfortunately the recommendations of that committee has not been approved up till today.

    “They had the opportunity to address this issue during Oluwa Rotimi  Akeredolu (SAN)’s regime but they did not,  even during the regime of J.B Daudu (SAN) but they did not, so its too late in the day for them to come now and say that they are contesting election under the zoning arrangement.”

    Okocha told The Nation that during the Daudu presidency, it was agreed that Midwest is part of the West. “The truth is that the president should come from the West but let the West put its house in order but if they fail, we should vote for who the electorate wishes for,” he said.

    Speaking on a letter purportedly written to the regional fora to vote for only Yoruba candidates, Okocha said: “That is too parochial, too undemocratic. Egbe Amofin should not exclude other candidates who are in the West. Midwest is part of the West for the purpose of our zoning arrangement.”

    A Bar leader, Chief John Ochoga, speaking on the solution, said: “I sympathise with Dele Adesina (SAN) because he would have defeated Akeredolu hands down if he had contested the election in 2008. I expect the entire Yoruba race to rally round him now, but true to their type, I learnt that they are not supporting him now.”

    A former NBA President Lanke Odogiyan said: “I support Agbakoba’s view especially as it affects the Southwest. My understanding is that the issue was raised during the Presidency of J. B. Daudu (SAN) and the West said ‘Ok, we will accommodate our brothers from the Midwest on the condition that when we take two slots, they will take one but this one is for the Southwest, Midwest will take in 2020.’

    “So, for any candidate to come out now from the Midwest will be very unfair. Remember, the zoning arrangement was put in place because of our experience in 1992, so to avoid future disruptions, we should maintain it.”

    Former chairman of NBA Kaduna branch Mr. Anozie Obi recalled that Daudu proposed a six zonal arrangement at the bar leaders summit, which was resisted by the West who declared that the Midwest was part of the West.

    “The Presidency which has now returned to the West is zoned to the entire West which includes Midwest. All parts of the West, including the ‘Mid’ of the West are entitled to contest,” he said.

  • The harm in federal character, zoning and regionalism

    Section 14(3) of the 1999 Nigerian constitution says: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a  manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to  promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.”

    In full acknowledgement of the good intentions of the framers of the 1999 Constitution, as necessary to address the need for balancing the interests of the multiplicity of ethnicities in our country and the disparate levels of literacy and economic progression, I believe that with the increasing ethnic-based disturbances, continued balkanisation of the country by non-sustainable ethnicity-driven state creation, the acrimonious political discourse that is fuelled not by substance but ethnic or regional considerations, the citadel of incompetence and mediocrity that, for the most part, is the civil and public service today, given the related diminished standards, the time has come for re-consideration of the Federal Character requirements.

    The concept and practice of allocation of federal and state government positions, issues advocacy by zones or regions, political aspiration by zoning, undermine the principle of fair-play and unity that is, seemingly, the objectives of the requirement.  Specifically, mediocrity, continued ethnic rivalry and balkanisation, gerrymandering of political aspirations, regional factionalism, a system that seeks to put geo-political affiliation ahead of performance and qualifications, a polity that is perpetually heated up, are all products of the “fair-play” arrangements of the Federal Character, quota and zoning mechanisms.

    Federal Character requirements may superficially convey the impression that there is a balancing of geo-political representation at the federal Ievel and ethnic or tribal at the state level, but viewed unemotionally, it is a practice that is deleterious to a nation that seeks to be among the first twenty economically developed countries by the year 2020.  How does an allocation of federal government positions ensure that we have the best and the brightest in those positions?  What happens if a particular region lacks persons with the requisite skills, proficiency and expertise to fill its allocation?

    What about the subordinate personnel, from a different region, who has superior qualifications?  How does such allocation foster the competition amongst the regions and states that is necessary to boost literacy and economic levels which, ultimately, should result in the production of personnel who are able to compete with their peers on a national level, or on international level against those countries such as Belgium, that have to be pushed out of the top 20 economies by Nigeria’s economic ascendency.  Do we really want to continue to teach our children that you can study hard (or not) and then leave it to prayers, that when you seek to perform your civic duty, as a federal or state employee, that you have the luck of having geo-political zone balance in favour of your state of origin?

    If our mechanism for recruiting and promoting our current and future policy makers and implementers is already flawed, how can we expect the organs of government to function at a performance level that results in the delivery of the “benefits of democracy?”

    It is frightening when we realise that these individuals make and implement policies that impact all aspects of our daily lives. As Nigerians, we have never shied away from competition.  It is this need to be the best that we can be that is manifested by the professional, academic and entrepreneurial excellence of our citizens in more organised societies. It is also this pursuit of one-upmanship that also fuels the chaos that is our daily lives. Alas, this chaos cannot be constructively channeled, because we are depriving the brilliant performers of the opportunity to contribute to our nation’s socio-economic growth, thanks to Federal Character requirements.

    Contemporary times reflect a nation that has not learned from the horror of its 1966 civil war and is ever more divided along tribal, ethnic, regional and religious lines.  As a nation, we are seeing more events of loss of life caused by tribal or ethnic affiliation. We are subjected to daily bombardment by the news media of political events, activities and shenanigans with underpinnings of tribal, zonal and regional affiliations.  The run-up to the presidential election of 2010 was full of the strife associated with whether or not the presidential slot was zoned to the North and the reverberations of that period continues until now, with ramifications for the upcoming 2015 elections.  Similarly, the various state-level political party structures are caught up in fights as to where succession has been zoned to or the number of times a particular tribe has assumed an office. Has the relatively recent instance of the deportation of economically disadvantaged Anambra citizens from Lagos or the eviction of non-indigene civil service workers from some South Eastern states (supposedly based on the challenge of meeting the minimum wage increase) indicated that we are anywhere close to the promotion of national unity that is specified in Section 14(3) of the constitution?

    I am a firm believer that the tapestry of the Nigerian nation is stronger and prettier because of the diversity of our people. Together, we are better than we are apart.  However, we may never achieve the togetherness if we continue to institutionalize measures that divide us.

    The use of the Federal Character, zoning and quota mechanisms are artificial constructs that remove the fairness principle from how we live and work.  These are heinous mechanisms that put deserving people at a disadvantage to the detriment of our governance structure.  In our constant cry for visionary leaders, we must acknowledge that we will never find those stellar leaders if we continue to utilise a quota system that gives precedent to tribal, state or zonal affiliation, instead of personal attributes of excellence.

    It is my hope that in the forthcoming national discussions, that there is a robust and consequent review of the Federal Character or any such requirements that do not truly foster unity, fairness, meritocracy and nationalism. The iconic American civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King said, in his “I have a Dream” speech (March on Washington, D.C., August 28, 1963), that he dreamt of a nation where his children “will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.”  Our aspiration as a nation should be similarly so, with judgment not on the basis of tribe, ethnicity, zone, but on character and the ability to contribute to nation building.

     

    • Azu Obiaya writes from Abuja

    onweazuka@gmail.com

     

  • Furore over zoning in Plateau

    Furore over zoning in Plateau

    Ahead of the next governorship election in Plateau State, stakeholders are locked in succession battle. Who succeeds Governor Jonah Jang next year? Yusufu Idegu examines the intrigues and issues that will shape the contest.

    Politics is in the air in Plateau State. Aspirants for the various elective posts have returned to the drawing board. As Governor Jonah Jang bows out of office next year, those itching to succeed him are on the prowl. Analysts predict an epic governorship battle.

    Plateau State has a peculiarity. Since the Second Republic, the stakeholders have adopted a zoning formula, which has remained sacrosant. This formula has made the governorship contest less rancorous. However, the zoning principle is gradually becoming a source if disunity among the ethnic groups and key players.

    According to the arrangement, each of the three geo-political zones; Plateau South, Plateau Central and Plateau North; is to enjoy the slot for a two term of eight years. Thus, power is rotational in the state.Based on this agreement, each of the three geo-political zone has produced the governor.

    In 1979, the Plateau South produced former Governor Solomon Lar. He hailed from Tarohk, Langtang area. He was the first elected governor. He was elected on the platform of the defunct Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP). He was re-elected in 1983, but the military truncated the second term.

    In 1990, the slot was zoned to Plateau South. Former Governor Fidelis Tapgun was elected governor on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). The administration was also sacked by the military in 1993.

    In 1999, Chief Joshua Dariye became the governor. He is from the Central District. Although a state of emergency was declared in the state for six months, Dariye, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was re-elected in 2003. Thus, he enjoyed two terms. He is now a senator.

    In 2011, power returned to the North District. Berom, which is the major tribe in the zone, was given the chance. This led to the emergence of Jang as the governor. In 2011, he was re-elected. By next year, the governor will complete his second term in office. Thus, all the zones have enjoyed the slot at differenty times.

    However, as the state prepares for 2015 polls, the same formula become the bone of contention. The three zones have produced governors. The main issues is: which zone should produce the next governor?

    Sources said that the governor and other prominent Berom leaders are making deft moves to retain the slot in the North District. Although Jang has not spoken elaborately on the successuion battle, many believe that he has tacitly backed the wish of his people to retain the number one seat.

    Recently, the governor reportedly said that he does not know who will succeed him next year. At the inauguration of the President of the COCIN Church, he said: “I dont know who will replace me in 2015. I ‘m praying to God to annoint the next governor for us. I dont know who the next governor is, but God knows. So, I call on Plateau people to also keep praying to God to give us his own choice.”

    Jang added: “I have taken the pains through my government to lay a solid foundation for a new Plateau. That is exactly what we have been doing in the last seven years or so. Already, a solid foundation has been laid in the various sectors, especially in the areas of agriculture, education, civil service, infrastructural development, and youths empowerment.

    “My concern now is to complete all the projects I started. I have vowed not to leave any project uncompleted before the end of my tenure. I don’t know who will succeed me in 2015. I am only hoping and praying that God will anoint somebody that will continue to develope Plateau from where I am going to stop.”

    The governor urged the stakeholders not to bother about any succession crisis. He said the succession would be smooth. However, he said that the next governor should be ready to defend the legacies of his administration. In his view, it will be retrogressive for Plateau State to have a governor, who will abandone the projects and reject the doctrine of continuity of service delivery. He stressed: “So, I have not and I will not impose any one on the people of Plateau State. We should leave that one to God to do his wish. I have a lot work to do before my tenure expires. So, I have little time to think of 2015. I leave that one to God to decide.”

    But, this posture has been rejected by many politicians in the state. They described it as a trick to fool so that he can successfully arm twist the zoning arrangement to favor his Berom insmen.

    Some politicians have vowed to resisit the move. They accused the governor of harbouring a hidden agenda. A group, the Redemption Integrity Group (RIG), has challenged the governor to a duel over the issue. The members of the group, including former commissioners, council chairmen, and legislators, told reporters in Jos, the state capital, that Jang was inviting trouble.

    The group’s spokesman, Hon. Nuhu Gagara said: “We want to be recognised as the Redemption Integrity Group (RIG). Some coined the “Redemption Agenda” for Governor Jang in 2007. That name is our brain-child and we are not going to drop it because it has been abused by Jang. We will go with that name, until out dear state is fully redeemed.

    “Now, we are in 2014. The tenure of Governor Jang is coming to an end. We asked for a term in 2007 and the people of the state gave us the mandate. We completed that four years in 2011 and we graciously ask Plateau people, if they could give us another four years, and they obliged us. That four years is about to end. But, the governor took us by surprise as he keep repeating that he does not know who will succeed him in 2015. We are surprised because Jang is a beneficiary of a zoning arrangement.

    “We expect the governor to simply declared that the slot should return to Plateau South. But, he refused to say that. Rather, he declared that he doesn’t know who will replace him. This means he is taking us for a fool. It means he has a hidden agenda and we will not allow him to succeed in his agenda at the expense the peace and unity of the people of the state.

    “Our major concern now is seeking replacement for Governor Jang. We have names of likely candidates, but we want the best for the state. We have resolved as a group that a replacement for Jang must come from the ‘Redemption Family’ for the sake of continuity. But, most importantl,y the next governor must come from Plateau South”

    Gagara, a former Commissioner for Information, recalled that, in 2007, the redemption project was motivated by the desire to transform the state. He said the governor has not accomplished this mission. “Everybody saw the weaknesses in the implementation of that agenda. But, we already have in mind the kind of quality and character the state requires in the next governor,” he said.

    Jang camp has objected to these criticisms. Prominent PDP chieftains said that the governor has tried his best, adding that he is often distracted by the insecurity in the state. although the insecurity in the state has distracted him.

    A PDP chieftain, who craved for annonymity, said: “These complains are genuine. The truth is that things have gone really bad. There is a lot of mistrust among the indigenes. We used to be one. There is mutual suspicion every where. We have been divided along ethnic lines, we are no longer speaking with one voice, the people of the state are polarised.”

    Wagara said that the only condition for unity is the sustenance of the zoning agreement. He listed the qualities expected from the next governor. The former commissioner said that he should be a bridge builder, a man of fairness and a promoter of harmony through equity and justice.

    “He should be able to work with all ethnic nationalities on the Plateau, irrespective of their religious beliefs. He should be able to galvanize all the religious groups. In the past, Plateau was not known for religious differences. Religious violence has never been part of the history of Plateau State. In every family, we have followers of both religions.

    “So, we need a bridge builder, someone with total humility. A governor that will be responsible and answerable to the people. We know that power comes from God, but God uses people to give you that power. So, the power of the people should be respected by any governor. This is the kind of person we are shopping for to replace Jang.”

    The group warned that the agitators of power shift to the North are fuelling the embers of disunity. Wagara said: “Anyone that says rotation should start from the North is morally bankrupt and he is invting the wrath of the people.

    “The current zoning arrangements started in the South with Solomon Lar, who had two terms. Then, Fidelis Tapgun came and had one term. Then, power shifted to the Central and Dariye had two terms. Then, it went to the North. Governor Jang is about to complete his two terms of years. While the Central enjoyed it for eight years, it was the North that produced the deputy governor for eight years before Jang, another Northern man, took over as the governor.

    “No other zone has enjoy that advantage. So, if the zoning has gone round, I expect the central zone to agitate for zoning to start from them, not the Northern zone. I think our brothers from the northern zone should not think of retaining it at all. But, if they think because they are the incumbent and they can turn things around, I wish them well. But Plateau people are not fools”

    Wagara said that the group will mobilise against any candidate from the North. He added: “No one from the Northern zone should contest the next governorship. This group will not support anyone from the incumbent zone, it immoral, it is unjustifiable”

    Sources said that the group is mobilising for former Governor Tapgun to bounce back to power. Asked to justify this, a member of the group said: “Fidelis Tapgun is credible. And he is from the South.”

  • Politics of zoning in Abia

    Politics of zoning in Abia

    In this piece, a public affairs analyst, Dr. Chris Kalu, writes on the furore over the zoning of governorship in Abia State, ahead of 2015.

    This age-long cliché holds true as a fitting answer to the unfolding political calculations and configurations in Abia come 2015 when the term of office of the governor, Chief T. A. Orji (Ochendo Global) will have ended and a successor sworn in.

    The poser which this piece seeks to answer is: regarding Abia State governorship position, is there anything like zoning? In other words, since the inception of the fourth Republic till date, is there anything agreed arrangement that says Governorship of Abia shall be rotated between the senatorial zones of North, Central and South? Without conceding the fact that it exists, at one particular time for electoral contest for the governorship seat of Abia State, has other senatorial zones left it for a particular senatorial zone to produce the governor without giving electoral fight?

    At the moment, there is a whirlwind of agitations by a certain block in the state claiming ownership to the slot of Governorship of Abia in 2015, basing their contention on the fact that “it is their turn because the other two senatorial zones (of North and central respectively) have all produced Governors in turn”. As a result, Ukwa/Ngwa block believes that Abia state Governorship should as a matter of equity, fairness and justice be reserved for them in 2015. This writer has no qualms with every citizen or group of citizens of Nigeria asking for their constitutional nay electoral rights in Nigeria which includes the right to vote and be voted for. And again, constitutional right is undeniable unless waived by a person. Waiver could be express or implied.

    With this in mind and on this issue of Ukwa/Ngwa block versus Abia State governorship in 2015, who dare talk about equity, fairness and justice? Have not Ukwa/Ngwa sons been contesting for the Governorship of Abia State from inception till date? Like the title of this piece says: he that comes to equity must come with clean hands so that equity will to your rescue as succor to him.

    In Abia State, since the inception of the fourth Republic up till now, there have been a total of four electoral contests to the seat of Governor of Abia State in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 respectively.

    In all those contests, Ukwa/Ngwa block have always contested and given candidates from other areas of Abia a run for their money. Those contests usually spilled over to electoral tribunals where final judgments were handed down, usually upholding the verdict announced by the electoral umpire. For instance, in 1999, Dr. Max Chiemelie Nduaguibe, from Ukwa/Ngwa axis contested for Governorship of Abia State under the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) but the contest was won by Dr. Orji Uzor kalu who contested under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In 2003, Ukwa/Ngwa block again threw their hats into the ring for the contest of Governorship of Abia State. Chief Enyinnaya H. Abaribe who hails from Obingwa contested under the platform of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), same as Engr. Andrew Nwekwe, who hails from Ugwunagbo that contested under the platform of National Democratic Party (NDP). Again, the contest was won by Chief Orji Uzor kalu of PDP. It is instructive to note that Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe, who contested under the platform of ANPP, had decamped from PDP to ANPP in order to realize his governorship ambition which if he had won, would have made Ukwa/Ngwa block to occupy the Governorship seat of Abia as far back as 2003. At that time, was anyone from Ukwa/Ngwa talking about equity, justice and fairness?

    In 2007, the contest became hotter and keenly contested. Under PDP alone, no fewer than four (4) Ukwa/Ngwa sons picked nomination forms and contested for the party’s ticket. They were: Dr. Marc Nwagbara, Hon. Anthony Eze Enwereuzor, Chief Ebere D. Isiguzo and Hon. Nwosu Rowland E. PDP ticket was won by Chief Onyema Ugochukwu. At the 2007 governorship election proper, Ukwa/Ngwa sons contested and they were: Chief Chukwu Nwachuku who hails from Isialangwa contested under the platform of Labour party; Hon. Christian U. Wogu contested under the platform of NAP; Hon. Kingsley Uluocha did under the platform of NDP etc. Had any of the forgoing won the 2007 Abia governorship election, wouldn’t Ukwa/Ngwa block ascend the governorship seat of Abia? Again, with all those Ukwa/Ngwa active participation in those governorship elections, were they not breaching the rule of zoning of Governorship of Abia, assuming there is any? He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

    During the 2011 governorship electi, Ukwa/Ngwa axis again participated actively in the governorship election. Prince Paul Ikonne, who hails from Aba South contested under the platform of CAN; Chief Reagan Ufomba, who hails from Isialangwa South contested under the platform of APGA; Hon. Chris Alozie Akomas who hails from Obingwa contested under the platform of PPA etc. Again, I ask, was there not zoning arrangement for governorship of Abia that says it shall be the turn of Ukwa/Ngwa to produce Governor of Abia in 2015 when these Ukwa/Ngwa sons were contesting in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 respectively?

    It is instructive to note ibo adage that comes aptly here: “onye chupuru onwe ya na ugbo asikwala na mmadu mere ya”-meaning, he who denies himself of something should not lay the balme on any other person. In life, you cannot eat your cake and have it because when you take advantage of something, you should not be seen as pretending that you did not.

    I make bold to say that, with active participation of Ukwa/Ngwa sons in the governorship of Abia from the inception of the fourth Republic till date, it will amount to standing reason and logic on their head to still assert that there is agreed zoning arrangement for governorship of Abia because since inception, Ukwa/Ngwa have been contesting. If they have been contesting, then, their hands are soiled and therefore should not come to the table of equity because doing so will contravene the sacred rule of equity.