By Uche Amunike
The Senator representing Anambra Central Zone, Mrs Uche Ekwunife, has been advised not to go against the zoning formula in the state by refraining from contesting for the governorship of the state next year. A group known as Equity Movement, a.k.a. Turn by Turn, stated this in a press statement made available to Fides which was signed by an elder of the group, Hon Chief. N.E. Udoye.
Udoye who commended Ekwunife on her robust representation in the Senate, however said it would be in the best interest of the state if Senator Ehwunife respected the existing zoning formula which, he said, was the turn of Anambra South.
The release which was titled, ”A Special Advice & Appeal to Senator Uche Ekwunife by Hon. Chief Norbert Udoye”, stated thus, ‘We the members of the above movement, sincerely wish to advise and appeal to u to drop your intention/ambition to contest for the next coming Governorship election in Anambra State.
‘We strongly believe that it is the turn of Anambra South Senatorial Zone to produce the next governor of the State, based on the zoning arrangement instituted by the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, when he was completing his eight years’ tenure. He insisted that it was the turn of Anambra North Senatorial Zone and picked Governor Willie Obiano.
‘Before the end of Governor Obiano’s first four years’ tenure, the people of Anambra North Senatorial Zone insisted that they should be allowed a second chance for a second tenure of another four years to complete eight years. Mr. Peter Obi supported them and brought out Mr. Osieloka Obaze of PDP from Anambra North Senatorial Zone too and insisted that Osieloka Obaze would serve for only four years to complete eight years for Anambra North Senatorial Zone.
‘I was a front line member of the Osieloka Obaze Campaign Team.
Unfortunately, Osieloka Obaze lost the election to the incumbent Governor Willie Obiano, who is still on seat now to complete the eight-year tenure zoned to Anambra North Senatorial Zone. The question on our lips now is; from Mr. Peter Obi of Anambra Central to Willie Obiano of Anambra North, then to whom next and from which Senatorial Zone? Let us be honest to ourselves.’
Insisting that his group, Equity, demanded that it was the turn of Anambra South Senatorial Zone to produce the next governor of the state this time around, Udoye reiterated his call to Ekwunife to drop her governorship ambition and concentrate on what he described as the good work she was doing in the Senate.
He urged her to support Anambra South Senatorial Zone to have their turn this time around, after which, it would be the turn of Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, by which time they would give her full support.
‘It is true that you are our sister from Aguata, Igboukwu precisely; as a married woman, you have dual citizenship but note that, politically, Anambra Central Senatorial Zone has been your political base; right from your first time of venturing into partisan politics, and not Aguata,’ he said.
He said that her ambition did not agree with the zoning pattern in place and would not also augur well she abandoned her senatorial seat given to her by her husband’s people midway and start to pursue the governorship. Udoye said such would make her husband’s people feel dishonoured and disrespected.
