Dignitaries at the event including HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu, HRH Igwe Godwin Madu(middle)and the book reviewer, Dr Chinedu Onu, during the unveiling of the book.
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Chairman of the Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Godwin Madu, has called for peace among political aspirants and their supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging stakeholders to sustain the peaceful political atmosphere in Enugu State.
Igwe Madu, who is also the traditional ruler of Achi Clan in Oji River Local Government Area, made the appeal during the presentation of a book titled “Zoning of Governorship Position in Enugu State: Evolution, Practice and Convention,” authored by Dr. Cyril Uche Anioke and three others.
The event was held at the Enugu International Conference Centre (EICC) on Thursday, May 7.
The monarch explained that traditional rulers do not engage in partisan politics but offer advice as royal fathers for the peace and stability of society.
He noted that the decision of the traditional institution in Enugu State to participate in the event was informed by the book’s focus on sustaining the peace and harmony that have characterised the state’s political environment.
Igwe Godwin Madu further advised that although the 2027 governorship seat is expected to remain in Enugu East Senatorial District in line with the state’s zoning arrangement, the zone should also consider allowing performing incumbents to complete a second term as a demonstration of political maturity and a way of reducing rancour in the struggle for power.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu, in a brief remark, supported the position of Igwe Godwin Madu and urged politicians to act with caution in their political engagements.
Chairman of the occasion, Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, said whether the arrangement is described as zoning or rotation, what matters is that it has ensured equitable distribution of political power among the three senatorial districts in the state.
Unveiling the book, Agubuzu stated: “Rotation among the three senatorial districts has given us peace since 1999. It’s good the book was written and we will learn much from it.”
The reviewer of the book, Dr. Chinedu Onu, emphasised that although zoning in Enugu State is not backed by any written law, it has evolved into a political culture over the past three decades, promoting fairness and justice.
His words: “Zoning reflects justice and not about power play. It’s a convention that has no written document anywhere but is designed to engender fairness and equity in the polity.”
Dr. Onu disclosed that some neighbouring states currently experiencing political tension are attempting to emulate Enugu State’s model of rotating political offices among zones and tribes.
The Chief Launcher, Dr. Cosmas Agu, Chief Executive Officer of COMAG Group, represented by Hon. Emeka Ugwuaba, said: “Zoning has brought peace to us and the authors have penned it down for posterity.”
He described the book as an important contribution to academia, the political class and students of history.
Also speaking, the Co-launcher, Capt. Everest Nnaji, represented by Hon. Chinagorom Egbo, described the publication as an encyclopedia.
“It is a commendable voice and compass for future generations in Enugu State,” he said.
The Enugu State APC Chairman,Dr. Martin Chukwunwike said now that the zoning culture in Enugu state is documented, It would serve as a reference point for politicking in Enugu state.
He stressed that it is worthy to note that each of the past Civilian Governors of Enugu state since 1999 benefitted from the zoning formula,served two terms. Therefore, the culture demands that Governor Peter Mbah,who is in the seat for another turn of Enugu East Senatorial district, should serve two terms, to commence in 2027.
In his own speech, the State Secretary of Enugu state PDP, Hon.Okereke,who stood in for Chief U che Nnaji,former Minister of Science and Technology, commended the zoning formula and how the culture has stabilsec peace in Enugu state political process.
However, he expressed the view that since the turn of Enugu East Senatorial district continues in 2027, every qualified governorship arspirant from the zone is free to join in the context.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr Uchenna Cyril Anioke ,with his Co -authors standing beside him, said the publication was born out of a need to document Enugu’s political culture.In addition, to correct the controversies that trailed the 2023 governorship race in Enugu state.
His words, “There are things nobody has said that are in this book. It’s important to document our political culture for future generations. We have achieved bringing the issue to the front burner,”
He commended his Co-authors,Dr.Ambrose Ogoke,Chikezie Obasi and Comrade Clinton Umeh, for their resilience and commitment throughout the researches and interviews for the contents.
