By Valentine Amanze
The former Governor of Anambra State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential candidate in the last election, Mr. Peter Obi, did neither introduce nor contemplate introducing zoning in the gubernatorial elections in Anambra State.
Obi’s Media Adviser, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, disclosed this, while reacting to insinuations that the former governor introduced zoning in the gubernatorial politics of Anambra State.
Obienyem, who acknowledged that Obi insisted that the governorship should go to Anambra North against even the position of his party then – APGA – said it was more of Obi “in the spirit of justice and equity insisting that the governorship candidate should go to Anambra North since they were, at that time, the only zone yet to produce a Governor.” Obienyem said that it was more of Obi trying to achieve balance of representation to avoid what was clearly unjust and capable of snowballing into crisis for the state.
Obienyem further explained that his boss’s position was equitable and not to be confused with entrenchment of rotation in Anambra’s Charter of Equity or whatever it is. “If at any time the state wants rotation or any form of political arrangement, it would not be the imposition of one man because, if allowed to stand, history may interpret such as a predisposition of Obi to autocracy. In a democracy, decisions are by consensus and not a one-man-show”, Obienyem said.
Besides, Obienyem condemned the reference to Obi by some elements whenever divisive issues come up, saying, “If they are looking for noble actions of Obi to commend and emulate, they are legion. They should start by imbibing his spirit of hardwork and resourcefulness that made Anambra a reference point during his tenure. They should emulate his insistence on saving for the state even at a time the country was undergoing its worst economic crisis that enabled him to save over N75 billion for the state. They should imbibe his support to education and other exploits that made Anambra to be rated as the best in road construction, education and financial management under him. These are desiderata for the growth and development of our dear state.”
