*say it engenders peace, unity, helps minority to occupy elective positions
By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Ikechukwu Nwankwo and the state chairman of APC in Ebonyi State have thrown their weight in support of zoning arrangement in Nigeria.
They are of the view that it engenders unity and peaceful coexistence of the country and also helps minorities to occupy some elective positions.
The former Speaker who expressed this to newsmen recently in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, said that zoning predates mankind because it is found virtually in all institutions, including the religious and political circle, but depends on the interpretations and what one conceptualizes as zoning.
Hon. Nwankwo further explained that an average individual’s understanding of zoning is that it engenders peace, unity, understanding and gives sense of belonging to every part of the country.
“Zoning could be written or based on understanding among the people involved.
“Zoning engenders peace; it engenders unity and predates mankind.There is zoning even in the religious circle, political circle and even in the family. It depends on what one conceptualizes as zoning.
“In my personal opinion, individual understanding of zoning is that, it engenders peace because of the level of understanding of individuals coming together and said,in the next four years, this position should go to this part of the country or state.
“Next eight years, it should go to another zone of the state or country.
“Zoning could be written, it could be based on understanding,” he pointed out.
He further pointed out that the issue wether a zone is qualified or not should not arise because there is no part of this country that does not have qualified persons to occupy elective positions and should not be used as a yardstick to disqualify anybody.
“There is no village or zone that doesn’t have a qualified person to be in a position of leadership.This boils down to what I said earlier, that zoning depends on understanding and interpretations giving to it.
“Everywhere on earth, there are qualified human beings doing well. It is a matter of common understanding whether I support it or not.
“Since zoning engenders peace, it should be adopted. Anything that does not generate crisis should be adopted,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Hon.Stanley Okoroemegha explained that zoning is the best because it gives the minority the opportunity to occupy certain elective positions in Nigeria.
He added that zoning is part of the guidelines of APC as a party, explaining that Ebonyi State is also living by example because the party has set up a zoning committee to go and look inwards on how certain positions should be zoned for peace and harmony of the party.
Hon. Emegha also said that when the report of the committee is ready, the party would forward it to the governor for action to be taken as the leader of the party.
“The governor as the leader of the party, has the right to give some advice, and the party has set up a zoning committee to go and look into how we can zone certain positions so that minority areas will occupy certain elective positions.
“And then, until the zoning committee comes up with their reports, the party that sent them will do a letter and send to the governor attaching the report which they came up with.
“So, the governor can still call them and talk to them, it doesn’t stop party activities.
“Zoning is in the guidelines of our party and as such, it helps some minority areas to occupy elective positions. Ordinarily, there are certain positions that if you don’t do zoning, the people will not taste it.
“The party is fully in support of zoning arrangements and as such, if you are asked to wait, you should wait till it gets to your turn,” Emegha said.
As political activities are gradually gathering momentum and taking diverse dimension ahead of 2023 general elections, some political parties are yet to make their position known about zoning elective positions, while others have made theirs known.
Some political gladiators believe that zoning remains the best option and solution to the political challenges facing this country, others have divergent views about it because of their political interests.
For instance, a former Commissioner of Information in Edo State, Prince Kassim Afegbua, was quoted as saying that zoning is a constitutional requirement in Nigerian politics.
He said those kicking against power rotation to the South in 2023 are doing so for selfish and egocentric reasons.
Afegbua, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said zoning means the same thing as federal character which is captured in the Nigerian constitution.
