Abia 2015: Between Merit And Zoning Formula

The situation of Abia State today, no doubt calls for serious political engineering that could throw up the required leadership that is capable of bailing the embattled state out of the wood.

Media reports on the sorry state of the once vibrant state make hearts of well meaning Nigerians to sink. Less than eight years since former governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu handed over to one of his former aides, the hitherto, success story passed on to his successor by Kalu, the man with the Midas touch, has become unimaginably horrible to say the list.  And so, if Abia, the acclaimed ‘God’s own State’ must take its rightful position in the country, albeit, on the African continent, there must be serious consideration for merit, high quality, competence and ability to deliver above zoning formula, in choosing its candidates for 2015 general election.

The leadership required for the state, must be the one that has the wherewithal to clear the mess, irrespective of where to get such a quality. If democracy is about delivering the common good to the generality of the citizenry, one would think that, parochial sentiment like zoning, power rotation and power shift should take the back seat. So, if Abia must rise again, its destiny must be taken beyond parochial politics.

Unfortunately, however, it appears the zoning cankerworm has eaten, irretrievably deep into the fabric of Nigeria’s politics. From Sokoto to Port-Harcourt, Lagos to Borno, Edo to Kano, the anti democratic step that is capable of causing more havoc to the already stunted democratic growth, especially in the countdown to next year’s general election, is now on the front burner. The agitation for zoning is now louder than consideration for moving the entire country to the next enviable position of economic growth and political stability in the comity of nations.

With Governor Theodore Orji personally leading the campaign, sadly, Abia State appears to have drawn more attention to itself more than the other states on the issue of zoning.of all the states with zoning crisis, Abia State appears to have drawn more attention to itself more than the other states. Orji’s insistence on zoning, it is said to be in fulfillment of the promise made to the people of Ukwa/Ngwa area of the state. Every political discourse in that state today, as regards change of leadership next year is now zeroed on how to concede the governorship slot to that axis of the state.

Paradoxically, as beautiful as the idea appears, it has the tendency of creating intra-zonal crisis of unimaginable proportion in the process within the state. If not reviewed, the idea is capable of placing too much emphasis on sectional consideration above merit, competence and capability to deliver. More worrisome is the envisaged adverse effect a wrong consideration could have on a state struggling to catch up with the basic developmental needs of the people. It is not  a gainsaying that the process has put a wedge in the hitherto cordial relationship between the Ukwa and Ngwa people, who woke up overnight to realise that they are no more Siamese twins.

It is on record that all the past leaders in the state have come from the old Bende Division while, funnily the Ukwa/Ngwa axis of the state has not produced a governor in over 22 years of the state’s existence.

Maybe against this backdrop, Governor Theodore A. Orji may feel that equity must prevail from next year by zoning the governorship post to Ukwa/Ngwa, with voting strength from the nine local councils that serve as their domain. And to realize their ambition of producing one of their own as governor for the first time, the common refrain in Ukwa/Ngwa domain is the cry of marginalization. As it were however, the marginalization anthem must have been sounding like a broken record for patriotic citizens who desire concrete human and natural development befitting the state known for its economic value in Nigeria.

While the component units that make up Ukwa/Ngwa have their individual strengths and advantages that can work against the alleged marginalization as a team. Ukwa is made up of two local governments while Ngwa, on the other hand, has seven. However, some elements exist within the bloc who, analysts believe are re-enacting the vexatious imbalance being complained about at state level. For instance, most top rated political appointments at state and federal levels are said to have been shared within Ukwa

Thus, while the zone is crying of marginalisation in the state as a bloc, some units and individuals in Ukwa/Ngwa are also alleging marginalisation by others. This, ironically, is said to be the reason leadership has eluded Ukwa/Ngwa.

This list will suffice: Ukwa has produced the Senate President-Senator Adolphus Wabara. This is said to be the highest political achievement at the federal level in Abia State. Obingwa, Ukwa’s neighbour, has however produced deputy governors of the state in the persons of Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, a governorship hopeful, Mr. Acho Nwakanma, and Mr. Chris Akoma.

On the side of Osisioma, the late Chima Nwafor, who was the first deputy governor of the state under Chief Ogbonnaya Onu and Orji Uzor Kalu emerged. Ugwunagbo produced Chief Emeka Ananaba, the current deputy governor, while Aba South has Chief Emeka Wogu, the current Minister of Labour, who was a Commissioner in the Federal Revenue Mobilisation.

Interestingly, the people of Umunne Ato Ngwa seem to habour a feeling of conspiracy against them, despite their strategic positioning in the state. “In other words, a situation whereby a section of a group feels neglected and marginalised, while the larger group is at the same time alleging marginalization within the main social unit, then the idea of zoning is defeated in a most ignoble, yet avoidable agitation,” so observed a political observer.

Interestingly however, the roll call of contenders to the governorship seat next year comprises of the same actors, who are architects of the lopsidedness being perpetrated in the state.

Mention could be made of Abaribe, Wogu, Ananaba and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika. It still rotates within the same cycle, which has never produced the much desired synergy in the governance of the state over the years.

There is no doubting the fact that, these prominent indigenes of the state have done well in their respective endeafour, but if Abia State must truly move up the ladder of progressive governance, then the narrative must change from power shift to merit. This time round,  many are of the strong conviction that, deserves a tested technocrat as against the familiar run-of-the-mill politician as governor in the face of its daunting challenges.

Sadly however, this cannot be realized when the door of selecting process is close against other participants such as the Diamond Bank Plc, boss, Alex Otti, who have shown dynamic leadership in their respective disciplines.

“Conversely, the time for Abia to gain stability is now, albeit with a leader that can drive the rudimentary components of change and double up the stripes of governance for Abia to catch up with her contemporaries,” contends a political analyst.

With Abia South being the centre of attraction in 2015, the focus of the race to succeed Orji, must therefor change accordingly. And from the looks of things, the governorship race promises to be interesting and in fact, observers have not missed the fact that the contest would generate considerable national interest because of the issues that have underlined the contest most especially when the outgoing governor is alleged to be making a move to impose a certain candidate, who has not even muted the idea of giving the contest a thougt.

Although the allegation has been denied by the governor severally, the aspirant in question is said to be waiting to be anointed by Governor Orji. Orji has been reported to have insisted that he would ensure a level playing field and would not impose anybody on the people of Abia.

However, some of the aspirants whose names feature prominently in the governorship race included but not limited to Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Mr. Uche Oga, Mr. Alex Otti, Mr. Okey Emutchay, Mr. Friday Nwosu, Hon. Acho Nwakanma, Chief Mark Wabara, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Okezie Ikpeazu.

As much as the Abia race seems skewed already in favour of Ukwa/Ngwa, the otherwise promising future of Abia as a potential industrial hub however, depends more on an open race which emphasises merit anchored on competence, capacity, a track record, local and global contacts and the kind of network capable of catapulting the state to enviable standards.

If Abia, according to pundits, is able to see the gains in choosing merit over zonal sentiments, it stands to benefit in the long run and the economy of the larger society, they reckon, will be the better for it.

Written by Razaq Bamidele of The Sun