By Jude Atupulazi
Anambra Equity Movement, (ANEM), a coalition of socio-political and religious pressure groups, civil societies and non-governmental organisations, has given political parties contesting for the Guber Election in Anambra State this year, some conditions to fulfil for them to enjoy the coalition’s support.
Speaking to newsmen, March 27, in Awka, the group, through its spokesman, Sir TonyUche Ezekwelu, who is also the Convener/Chairman, said chief among the conditions is that all political parties must not just field candidates from the Old Nnewi Division, but that such candidates must not be Catholics in order to give a chance to other faiths and religions in the state to produce governors.
He said this was in accordance with the group’s belief in justice, equity and fairness in the distribution of elective and appointive political offices in Anambra State and Nigeria at Large.
‘This will ensure that all facets and classes of Anambrarians are given a sense of belonging, irrespective of geographical origin, religious belief/creed, profession/class, gender, education and other classifications, in order to save the state from potential political cum electoral violence that can emanate from obvious frustrations from sustained political domination and intimidation,’ Ezekwelu, who said he was a knight of the Catholic Church, said, noting that it was part of the group’s resolutions at the end of their meeting.
On zoning, the group resolved that the Anambra Governorship by geopolitical arrangement should remain in the South Senatorial Zone for the next four years, while insisting that in that South Senatorial Zone, the Old Nnewi Division made up of Nnewi North, South and Ekwusigo LGAs should be given precedence.
They argued that it had become necessary because Aguata/OAU had got over six years of Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Prof. Charles Soludo, while Ihiala had held the governorship for four years under Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, meaning that both divisions had held power for over ten years to the exclusion of the Old Nnewi Division in Anambra South.
It noted only one party had adhered to this by making it a condition for the purchase of its nomination form to the effect that if an aspirant was not from Anambra South and particularly the Old Nnewi, such an aspirant would not be entitled to purchase the party’s nomination form. It urged other parties to follow suit.
On religious zoning, the group noted that Catholic Christians having dominated the Governorship position for 23 uninterrupted years, it was just, equitable and fair that the next Governor should be zoned to non-Catholics, especially Anglicans-Pentecostals, among other Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) blocks.
‘We hereby passionately plead with all Catholics aspirants and beg the Church hierarchy to join to plead with them to step aside for justice, equity and fairness sake. Accident of birth and creed should not be taken as disability to deny competent people the fundamental rights to elective political positions.
‘Christian brotherhood and charity should reign supreme among Christians and other people of God in the state. Igbo Traditional Religious worshipers should also be brought into consideration in future zoning arrangements.
The group also resolved that the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, should make way for other parties, having ruled for close to 20 years, in order to enthrone equity, fairness and justice in the politics of the state; even as they picked the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the party best positioned to take the next slot.
‘The meeting by overwhelming majority resolved that for justice, equity and fairness, the next Governor of Anambra, come November 8th 2025; APGA having ruled for 20 years, PDP for 7 years, Anambra should try another political party and the best option for the next Governorship by all considerations, is All Progressives Congress, which is the ruling party at the centre or any other viable party with a strong Non-Catholic candidate.
‘All participants pledged to work assiduously to ensure the APC and other parties meet our criteria of bringing out a candidate who has been a practicing politician on ground from Anglican/PFN/among other CAN blocks from Old Nnewi Division (Nnewi North, South and Ekwusigo) of Anambra South Senatorial Zone,’ the group stated, while resolving to meet the potential candidates who met all its zoning criteria for partnership/collaboration towards achieving victory.
It also said it would after the coming Guber Election, campaign for other elective positions like the Senate, House of Reps and House of Assembly, to be appropriately zoned to the various religions.
The group said that for the coming Guber Election, their adopted candidate who met all the set criteria should personally assure the members and the people of the state that they would be fully supported and carried along before, during and after the Guber primaries and election proper and in government.
‘The candidate must sign a pact/take a vow that he won’t discriminate against any denominations, groups or individuals when he gets to Governorship power come November 8th 2025 by God’s grace,’ the group stated.
