Politics
In democracy zoning is sacrosanct with principle of equity, fairness, Justice- Ex Enugu commissioner
IN DEMOCRACY, ZONING OR ROTATION OF ELECTIVE OFFICE IS SACROSANT WITH THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUITY, FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE-Hon John Egbo
Hon. John Egbo, a retired Deputy Sheriff in the United States and two time Commissioner in Enugu State wades into the zoning or rotation of the governorship position in Enugu State.
Hear him:
Recently, zoning of the 2023 Governorship of Enugu State has dominated the discussion in Social and print media by supporters of non declared aspirants with the hope that such discussion will sway the general public into believing that zoning is inconsequential and therefore it shall be an all comers affair.
The truth is that since 1999, zoning arrangement or rotation of the governorship position between the three senatorial districts of Enugu state has ensured equity, fairness, justice and peaceful handover of government in the state.
It is also pertinent to note that State creates an opportunity for all to enjoy political, economic and social equity which is the fulcrum of zoning political positions and distribution of democratic dividends.
To that effect, the State pursue public goods and not an individual interest. In other words, those advocates of truncating zoning arrangements are pursuing personal interest.
Moreover, the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has categorically stated that he will adhere to the existing zoning arrangement in the state. This means that upon completion of his term in office, his successor under the People Democratic Party (PDP) shall hail from Enugu East Senatorial District.
The Governor in his usual attitude of being fair, humble and equitable in his programs did not mince words that PDP has zoning arrangement embedded in its constitution.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) truly has zoning of public office entrenched in its constitution in section 7(2)(C). The section States, “to create social-political condition conducive to national peace and unity by ensuring fair and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities to conform with the principles of power shift and power sharing by rotating key political offices among diverse people of our country evolving power equitably between the Federal, State and Local Government in spirit of true federalism”
It should be noted that all the political office holders in Enugu State are products of PDP and should know better not to go against the constitution of the party.
Both the letters and spirit of section 7(2)(C) of PDP constitution are unambiguous and political office holders of PDP should guard it jealously.
It may be pertinent to deflate the presentation made by Senator Utazi at the Odinma Nsukka Forum. The idea of zoning the 2023 Governorship to Enugu North is contrary to natural progression as it will mean going backward instead of starting afresh as people do not count numbers backward.
Put simpler, people do not run a relay race backward, at the end of each round of race, one starts a new race at the starting line. The progression from Enugu East to Enugu West and to Enugu North will be completed in 2023 and Enugu East should kick start the next phase. Odinma Nsukka should bear in mind the golden rule of society, “Do Unto Others as Thou Would Like Others to do Unto Thy Self”.
On the quest of greater Awgu county pushing for the Distinguished Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, former DSP to contest for the Governorship of Enugu State in 2023 having hailed from Enugu West Senatorial may also be running contrary to the Enugu State PDP Zoning arrangement.
On the part of Enugu East Senatorial District, many fans of Sir Chineyeka Ohaa cutting across Enugu State are flooding the Social media pleading for him as a veteran retired public servant and astute administrator with State and Federal experience to make himself available for the Governorship position of Enugu State in 2023 elections.
These political gladiators are all fine sons of Enugu State. But all should be mindful that the Governor of Enugu State is the leader of the political structure of Enugu State and has given a clear indication that the PDP candidate for the Governorship of Enugu State in 2023 shall hail from Enugu East Senatorial District .
While other political parties have right to field candidate of their choice from any zone, that of the PDP is strictly for Enugu East and we hope that the party being supreme will present a formidable candidate for the Governorship of Enugu State in 2023.
Gburugburu is the man of the hour but I urge all the social media tigers to rest their pen and allow H.E. Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to complete many of the ongoing projects in the State. It will be wise for supporters of potential aspirants to sheath their sword till 2022 to allow the Governor to administer the state without distractions.
Finally, my brethren from Enugu East senatorial district should not sit and fold their hands believing that the Governor has issued a statement in their favour supporting zoning arrangement for the Governorship position come 2023.
They should follow suit with different groups drumming support for H.E. Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his courage to stand with the constitution of the party. This strategy will send a clear signal to anyone planning to truncate the zoning arrangement, that it will be an uphill battle.
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, has accused Governor Francis Nwifuru of running the state like a personal family business.
Odii made the remark shortly after emerging as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election following the party’s primary election conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to party supporters in Abakaliki, Odii said the 2027 election would be about rescuing Ebonyi from poor governance and restoring economic growth and public welfare.
“Ebonyi can never be consumed. Ebonyi can never be conquered. Ebonyi can never become a personal family business, and we are here for the rescue of our dear state,” he stated.
The PDP flag bearer pledged to improve the welfare of civil servants and teachers while promising policies aimed at reviving the state’s economy.
Odii also dismissed fears over political opposition ahead of the election, insisting that his focus remained the development and progress of Ebonyi State.
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