Enugu 2023: I Was In A Meeting Where Zoning Was Agreed In 2013, Says Senator Nnaji

ENEH VICTOR CHIGOZIE

Senator Gilbert Nnaji has replied to the challenge thrown by Senator Ike Ekweremadu on the ongoing conversation on zoning in Enugu state. Senator Ekweremadu while declaring to contest the 2023 governorship election said there was no time and place when the leaders of the state sat down to agree on zoning of the governorship of the state and challenged the proponents of zoning in the state to show proof of such an arrangement.

Ekweremadu claimed that at no point did leaders in the state sat down to discuss about zoning and dared the pro zoning advocates to tell him where the discussion took place and those in the meeting.

Ekweremadu threw up this challenge on Friday, March 11 during his formal declaration. But Senator Gilbert Nnaji, who represented Enugu East Senatorial zone in the Senate has shamed Senator Ekweremadu when he spoke to the press yesterday.

While speaking on the ongoing zoning controversy in Enugu State, Senator Nnaji said it is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial zone to produce the next Governor. 
When asked whether there was actually any form of zoning arrangement in the State, he replied: “I know there is zoning in Enugu State, because I was there at the State caucus meeting in 2013, we as NASS members were all there”.

“The issue of zoning was raised and Hon. Dubem Onyia, former Minister, moved a motion for the rotation of the governorship seat and it was seconded by Chief Ben Collins Ndu.”

“Egumgbe made some amendments that after it has gone to Nsukka, Enugu North Senatorial zone, it will now come to Enugu East, so that it will be going round, every zone will know when it is their turn, in that way we stop all these political acrimonies.”

Senator Nnaji did not only say he was at the meeting of the PDP state Caucus meeting in 2013 where zoning was agreed, he stated that Senator Ike Ekweremadu and other National Assembly Members from Enugu state were there.

Other leaders in the state, who were at the meeting in 2013 like Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Ben Collins Ndu, Sullivan Chime and others have all come out to state that zoning was agreed in 2013 at a state Caucus meeting. These leaders cannot be wrong and only Ekweremadu would be right. Senator Nnaji must be commended for speaking out.

The truth has been established. There is zoning understanding in Enugu State, in which Ekweremadu was at the meeting where it was agreed. He has no choice than to respect it. 

It is becoming embarrassing for these respected leaders to be reminding Ekweremadu that he was in a meeting where they all agreed on zoning. This shows that what’s driving Ekweremadu’s ambition is greed, selfishness and ego and not for the good of ndi Enugu. 
His ambition is dead on arrival. If he has any integrity left, he should apologize for this distraction and retrace his steps.