From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha
Undoubtedly, Anambra State was admitted and made the 10th oil-producing state in Nigeria by President Goodluck Jonathan during his visit when he commissioned many companies built by private investors in various parts of the state, especially in and around the commercial city of Onitsha.
It was indeed one of the best things ever to happen in the economic turn-around of the state blessed with abundant human and natural resources. However, the discovery of oil has opened a new political dimension and changed the political rhythm of the state.
Anambra’s admission into the league of oil-producing states was celebrated across the length and breadth of the state and it ushered in a new political dispensation fix for Anambra North Senatorial Zone, the host zone, which had been crying foul over political marginalisation.
Recently, some youths, comprising various youth bodies met in Awka, Anambra state capital, where the issue of the forth coming governorship election in the state, the discovery of oil in the Northern zone of the state and why power should shift to the zone that is currently topping the chart in economic viability were discussed. For the youth organisations, comprising of Anambra Youth Assembly, Integrated Volunteer Youth Movement, Concerned Youths for Better Anambra and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Youths, nothing could be fairer than having the next governor, coming from Anambra North.
However, while those leading this quest are insisting that the next governor must come from Anambra North, saying it was made clear in the statement issued by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, on many occasions during political rallies, some political watchers still insist that it will not work since it was not passed into law.
According to Mr. Nwokoye, the youths of Anambra State firmly believe in the reality and absolute equality of the three senatorial zones and strongly hold the view that the topmost executive office in the state, which has eluded Anambra North since the creation of the state 21 years ago should now go to them in turn of unbroken succession as a mater of priority, before any other zone can claim the right to second or even third turn.
In line with this position taken after wide consultations over several months in the state in which all the youths participated both at home and abroad, the youths confidently urged other sections of Anambra people to support en-mass a credible new generation governorship candidates that have emerged from Anambra North.
The alleged marginalisation of Anambra North Today, there is a general feeling within Anambra North that as a people, they are being deliberately sidelined, particularly in the sphere of political leadership of the state. The argument is that no one from Anambra North has so far been deemed suitable to be put at the helm of affairs in the state.
For instance, Onitsha community, which produced a number of national and international figures like the first President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ukpabi Asika, Prof. Chike Obi, Dr. Philip Emeagwali and others, are insisting that they are more qualified to produce the next governor of the state if at all the zoning as being preached by Governor Peter Obi will see the light of the day.
Apart from the contributions of Onitsha Ado na Idu in the country’s socio-political and economic survival, the community has remained the major source of revenue that sustained the old Anambra state which comprised of the present Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states. There is no gainsaying that the community is and still remains the commercial hub of the entire South East zone.
Severally, Onitsha youths under various organizations have openly demanded for compensations from residents, traders as well as the governments for taking their land and turning same into commercial areas. The main market in the commercial city of Onitsha is occupying a very vast land of the Onitsha people, making it impossible for the indigenes to have enough land to build or celebrate burial or wedding ceremonies which had resulted to the blocking of major roads in and within the city during such festivities.
The declaration of interest of some of the Onitsha sons like Dr. Alex Obiogbolu and Dr. Nwachi Pat Obianwu to run for the office of the governor of the state could simply be identified as strategic plots by the people of the community to get the position during the coming governorship election. Dr. Alex Obiogbolu an academic and a grassroots politician is not new in the politics of the state.
The leader and founder of Oganiru Anambra is a man of many parts and a man many described as a different political bulldozer who preaches politics of intellectualism as well as politics anchored on principle. Another group found in Anambra North are the Ogbaru people. They parade the likes of Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Minister for Aviation, Mrs. Stella Odua, Afam Ogene, member representing Ogbaru federal constituency among others.
Recent political events since the inception of Governor Peter Obi’s administration in 2006 have opened a new political fortunes for the people of the council area. The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Chinwe Nwebili and the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Mr. Oseloka Obaze are all from the zone. Like Onitsha, the people of the council have anointed Afam Ogene as their candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The leader of Ogbaru Stakeholders’ Forum, Sir Okala, has this to says. “We decided to ask Afam Ogene, member representing Ogbaru federal constituency to present himself to seek the office of the governor of Anambra state in 2014 because of his numerous contributions towards development of our country through quality representation and making of beneficial laws for the country. From what we have closely observed about his total commitment to the entire country, we urge him to come out and lead our people to the promised land.”
Anambra East and West council areas These council areas are often referred to as the hub of Omambala region, comprising the Aguleri, Umeri, Anam, Umeze-Anam, Otuocha and parts of Nsugbe. They are also regarded as the food basket of the state, because of the arable nature of their land and vast land in the areas.
The local government areas are also blessed with rich human and natural resources of which the recent discovery of oil topped the chart.
The oil which was discovered in almost all parts of the local government areas like Anam, Umueze-Anam and part of Umueri and Aguleri had no doubt boosted the economic status of the two local government areas and has also put them on a better pedestal to vigorously seek for the office of the governor come 2014. Anambra East and Anambra West local government areas parade the likes of the former Deputy Governor to Governor Chinweoke Mbadinuju, Mr. Chinedu Emeka from the Anambra West while Prince Chinedu Idigo, a member of the House of Representatives from Anambra East are currently in the governorship race.
The Chairman of Anambra Youth Assembly, Mr.Chu Okafor, disclosed that after waiting for the state governor to anoint a candidate from the Anambra North senatorial zone to no avail, they decided to nominate the two persons from the zone as their aspirants from which a candidate will be elected to represent the interest of the zone. Anyamelum/Oyi council areas These two local government areas in Anambra North Senatorial Zone are also referred to as Olu and Igboadagbe communities. They have a peculiar culture and tradition, which distinguish them from the rest of the council areas across the zone.
Who is obi 2 nominat a candidat in anambra, he tried it in his zone 4 senate by nominating dora nd she fail, gv us ngige joooooooo but buhari party fit fail u my broda, cos s/east no vote boko haram party 0oooooooo.
For some time now, those of in the South East is clamouring for use to be given a chance to produce the president in 2015. We keep talking of marginalization and kept preaching of zoning that position to SE. But within the south east (Anambra) we have refused to abide by the same principle which we are asking for. I am not from Anambra North but I feel they should produce the next governor of Anambra State. Provided that they produce a credible candidate.
Yea i support the clamouring of the Anambra North to produce the next governor Though am from Anambra Central(Anaocha LGA)but if the governorship aspirant happen to come from Onitsha indigen then count me out because this people are not Anambriarians and they even coursed their misfortune wen they refered and called us we the real Anambriarians Nwa Onye Igbo(Igbo people),they even claimed that traders,government,main market took most of their lands and i ask which labnd are they talking about?the land we Anambriarians knows that belongs to the Obosi people and wen they crossed River Niger they forcefully took it away from Obosi people and because of the land wasnt originally theirs they never valued it and as a result of tha they sold off most of the lands to the individual Anambriarians without even thinking about wat the future might bring to them,after selling off their lands to the real Anambriarians they were now crying wolves.So i prefer an aspirant from Ogbaru,Otuocha,Agulueri,Umuleri,Oyi/Ayamelum side than from Onitsha if ever the zoning of the governorship to Anambra North will ever works
Peter Obi pls stop this politics of division u are creating in anambra,it will swallow u up.Better carry ur useless self out of our government house .Anambra pple will neva wish to have anything to do wth u again or even ur anointd candidate.Ur act will destroy ApGa and PDP or ACN is likely to take over anambra bcos of ur useless performance in d office.May God reward u according to ur work
I completely support the idea of zoning the governorship position to Anambra north for equity reasons, am from awka south myself but I think the north deserve it. Obi on his part is doing marvelously well, kudos to him.
This is the time for Anambra North,and Mr. Mike Udah the Chief press Secretary of the state is the best man for the job
Am from Anambra Central(Njikoka)
I believe time is due we vote for somebody from Anambra Central especially Ogbaru,Ayamelum or Anambra west/east.
Jeff your very stupid for talking to our action governor Peter Obi in that manner,is like you have personal grudges and score to settle with him please if there is any better go and settle it with him privately and not you to come in this forum to shower abuses on the governor that has done so much for the people of Anambriarians.Jeff you can see for yourself that almost everybody in this forum have been commenting good things Peter Obi have been doing in Anambra except those few people that must have come from Idemmiri L.G.A or Alor,home town of Chris Ngige.I know that nomatter how good one is you will still see some people that will criticise him.So Jeff your really ingrade and either your mad or your preparing to run mad.MR Peter Obi(Okwute)ride on joor and we Anambriarians love you so much
They ve a tall dream that will be unrealisable..other senatorial zones re politicially incline and they ve a better sophisticated and smart politicians that knws the name of the GAME..like Chris Ngige,Andy Uba,Nicolas ukachukwu,Emeka Anyaoku,Soludo and other money bags god fathers..they should pray for gud leader.
Clearly Stine Chikee is a complete ignoramus when he talks of contemporary Nigerian history. Onitsha Ado n Idu are absolutely right in their claim to the land which he could verify by reading the Harding Report on the land dispute between OBOSI ()when Kodilinye was Chief in Obosi and Okosi was Obi Onitsha) Youth is not excuse for ignorance, so he should educate himself before joining issues in a roughshod way.
Onitsha remain the singular light whereby Igbo have been able to navigate their way thru the murky waters of Nigeria. I do not need to mention ZIK, MBANEFO, CHIKE OBI, EMEAGWALI, OLV EKPECHI, JUSTICE CHUBA IKPEAZU, and the myriads of civil servants especially in the legal field who built the former Eastern Nigeria.
Without Onitsha, Obi and Anambra should think long and hard about the future O!
Arinze the four LGAs you mentioned are located in Anambra North Senatorial District not Central as you think.But I want to say that the North will certainly not make it to the government house Awka, come 2014, although they have qualified people to occupy that seat, but because all the political heavy weights in Anambra State are from the South and Central,they will not succeed.
So, the North should be jostling for the position of the Deputy Governor, House Speaker, SSG, CJ.
For once you are being correct but talk of likes of Soludo and Emeka Anyaoku to take over from good work that Peter Obi started, Okwute is doing well and he need to hand over to a good hand so as to continue his good legacies. Soludo is the right man for the job. Please, support Soludo if he declares.
The insider or whatever you called yourself.
Dude learn to read properlly and understand,i never wrote those four 4 LGAs are in Anambra Central but am from Anambra Central.Go read again.
Ofeke dika gi
Mr, Arinze whatever the case, you should try to be polite people, especially the ones you don’t know too well. I strongly believe that I didn’t insult you, I am too civilised, but if you go through my sentences, you will understand that we are on the same page.
I wish you well.
okwa maka adi ama-ama ndia gwara ndia. Ka Chineke mezie okwu. Ngige remains the best but not with ACN oooo.
this is all rubbish! Write all you want… We can never have a governor based on zoning. If the north dont have an acceptable candidate, then they will never govern the state. Obi is a no body when it comes to telling us who to vote. He has done well, let him go and allow us choose who will succeed him. Awka govt house is not for baby politicians. We already know that the next governor of anambra state is either chris ngige or andy uba. So whats all dis nyanya mpu all about.
How shortsighted you may be. Ngige is a good candidate but not with ACN. Andy Ubah is not among the good candidates that will continue with good work that Peter Obi started. Talk of likes of Soludo, Emeka Anyaoku but minus Andy Ubah, please!
May God choose a leader for us period!
whatever comments most of u hav made so far,d position remains dat d delivery time of d king makers hav come for dem to take their cap.Anambra North u ar Ugo! Eze!! Its our Throneooooooo!!!