Anambra Gubernatorial Election 2021 And The Politics Of Zoning -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

One of the states that have benefitted immensely from the current democratic dispensation since its inception in 1999 is Anambra State. There is massive infrastructural uplift in the state. There is political stability despite the number of political heavy weights and disparate interests. There is empowerment of the people and massive manpower development. It is not because it is in the hands of APGA, the ruling political party in the State. It is not just because they have been governed by those acclaimed to be performers. The secret is in their unique power sharing arrangement that tend to make all stakeholders have a sense of belonging. And from all intents and purposes, Anambrarians seem comfortable with their political power sharing arrangement.

It is on record that Anambra is one of the few states in the current democratic dispensation to have seamlessly rotated power between the three senatorial zones in the state. Beginning with Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju (Anambra South) in 1999 to Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige in 2003, whose truncated tenure was completed by Dr. Peter Obi (Anambra Central) and to Dr. Willie Obiano (Anambra North) Anambra people have exhibited political maturity by allowing power to rotate peacefully between the state power blocs. Now, going by that arrangement, it is obviously the turn of the Anambra South Senatorial District to take a shot at the leadership of the State of “Home for All”. Thus, any party in the state desirous of taking power in Anambra in the forth-coming gubernatorial election must field a candidate from the Anambra senatorial zone.

However, the purpose of this piece is not necessarily to dwell on the merits of zoning or rotational leadership but suffice it to say that every system has it peculiarities. Zoning as a power sharing formula may have its merits and demerits but the advantages of zoning cannot be overemphasized. I know that zoning may sound undemocratic but it gives a feeling of all getting involved in the political process and eliminates the fear of marginalization. It creates stability by giving every part of the state a sense of belonging by carrying everybody along.

At the national level the South has always croaked about rotational presidency but disappointingly, they have not been able to do that in their various states. The problem with us clearly is hypocrisy. We promote a system no matter how unjust when it favors us but suppress it when it does not serve our parochial interest. If the Southern politicians that make much noise about rotational presidency are honest about it, they must strive to enforce it in their various states to make us take their agitation seriously. In the South it is only Delta and Anambra states that have managed to rotate power among the three Senatorial Districts.

Thus, as the Anambra gubernatorial election draws near, all eyes are on the state. As the different political parties jostle to grab power, one factor that must decide which party occupies the government house after the incumbent governor Dr. Willie Obiano is the issue of zoning. My interactions with some Anambra people around me indicate that they are passionate about the issue of zoning. And feelers from people of Anambra South Senatorial Zone are that they want power devolved to them, having held power for just only 4 years since the current democratic dispensation. Therefore, they are willing to vote overwhelmingly for any political party that will field a candidate from the zone. Already, there are indications that APGA the party in control of the State affairs may field a candidate from the South. It was the decision that gave them victory in the 2013 and 2017 elections and they may not alter the strategy knowing that it would be counterproductive to do so.

I am not from Anambra State but I am concerned about who governs the state for many reasons ranging from business, marriage ties to social orientation inter alia. Nobody would want the peace and development strides in the state to be truncated because of political miscalculations. Again, as a card carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I am very interested in the outcome of Anambra election and so are members of the party hierarchy and other party faithful. This is not just something for the state PDP but all PDP stakeholders nationwide. PDP victory in Edo State last year was a welcome development and a sign of greater things to come. So, PDP must not toy with the Anambra gubernatorial election 2021. PDP has to consolidate on the Edo victory by clinching Anambra State in order to make the race to Aso Rock in 2023 a bit easier.

The current regime at the center has not met the yearnings of Nigerians. APC government has been a monumental failure so Nigerians earnestly desire power shift. And for PDP to wrestle power from the ruling APC it must consolidate on its victory at Edo gubernatorial election last year by winning Anambra election 2021 and increase the number of States under its control. This should be the thinking of every stakeholder in the party irrespective of tribal or religious affiliations. It is a bounden duty; a call to rescue Nigeria from the brink.

As the Anambra 2021 beckons I appeal to all party stakeholders in Anambra to subordinate personal interest to party interest and I appeal to party leaders to act decisively and pragmatically too for the future of the party and the nation. Party members must realize that elections are very costly ventures. Winning election is much more than making campaigns and electoral promises. It is much more than fielding “qualified” candidates. It is about making right decision; it is about being strategic in our actions and decisions.

Decisions we take can make or mar our chances. We are in a democratic dispensation. Democracy is about representation, equity and justice and interest aggregation. People want their voice to be heard and their interest to be served.
Long live Nigeria!

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK