As the question of who occupies the Enugu State Lion Building come May 29, 2023, continues to agitate the minds of NdiEnugu, three prominent sons of Enugu East senatorial zone have insisted that the existing zoning arrangement be maintained.They equally drum support for Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa as the preferred candidate to emerge from the zone.
Appearing on The Freedom Square, an interactive radio program on Solid 100.9 FM anchored by Hon. Dr. Cyril Anioke, on Saturday 19th February, 2022, one of the prominent sons, Chief Hon. Ray Nnaji, former Chairman Nkanu West L.G.A, said that without zoning the governorship seat, there will be rancor. It is his opinion that with zoning, the choice of who becomes governor is narrowed down. He cited Section 7 Subsection 3c of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) constitution which made provisions for zoning both appointive and elective positions in the party adding that zoning began in Enugu State in 2007 when former governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, out of good judgement for equity and justice seeded the governorship to another zone.
In his own submissions, another prominent son of Enugu East zone and former Chairman, Nkanu West Local Gov. Area, Mr. Ikechukwu Henry Okenwa acknowledged that zoning wasstarted by the Chimaroke Nnamani administration and maintained by the Sullivan Chime administration. He assured that if zoning is thrown away at this stage, it will give room for anarchy and heads will roll. There will be hatred, and rancor. But with zoning, there will be peace and tranquility, he maintained.
On whether there are eminently qualified individuals who can fit the role if the governorship is zoned to Enugu East, Hon. John Egbo, former Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory (ECTDA), said that they abound. He specifically pointed out Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa among other equally qualified sons of Enugu East extoling his leadership qualities. He intimated that Sir Ohaa was one time Permanent Secretary to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where he served like a governor managing the budget of the nation’s capital territory gathering relevant experience on leadership. He added that Sir Ohaa hasover the years developed invaluable contacts with high net worth dignitaries especially expatriates while working at the FCT and that such contacts can be deployed in attracting foreign investment to Enugu State if he becomes governor.
On a final analysis, the three prominent sons of Enugu East dismissed the theory that puts the number of governors produced by the three zones of the state namely; Enugu East, Enugu North, and Enugu West at 3, 2, and 1 respectively. They pointed out that Enugu West has produced three governors namely,Alison Madueke, Group Captain Orji, and Sullivan Chime. So, it is not one as they claimed to justify going for the governorship seat when it is not the turn of their zone.
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