Anambra 2021: Intersociety disqualifies Catholics, Anambra North and Central

It is the turn of the people of Anambra South Senatorial District comprising Old Aguata, Ihiala and Nnewi zones to produce the next elected governor of Anambra State in 2021, the Int’l Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law (Intersociety) said today in a statement issued in Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria. This right, the frontline pro-democracy and human rights group said in the statement signed by Barr Chinwe Umeche, Head of Democracy & Good Governance Department, “is totally non-negotiable. This is clearly hinged on the principle of power shift or rotation powered by equity and fairness. In the Anambra South, too, equity and fairness shall determine which particular zone: Old Aguata or Nnewi or Ihiala zone shall take the turn of producing the next Gov.

“Therefore, any governorship aspirant jostling for the seat through one of the major political parties who is from a Senatorial District other than Anambra South, is likely committing a political suicide or embarking on political suicide mission. Rather than embarking on such political suicide mission, the affected governorship aspirants and their supporters and entire political districts or zones are strongly called upon to back out and join in search for quality candidates from Anambra South irrespective of political parties of their belonging.”

Intersociety in the statement also ruled out Catholics from the race, arguing that they have dominated governance in the state since the return to democracy in 1999.

“To achieve the above, money politics, squander-mania, mediocrity and daftness must give way for skillfulness or intellectual and leadership capacity, leadership charisma and commitment to render selfless service to mankind and society if elected into public office,” Intersociety stated. It gave the following background:

“Anambra State created in August 1991 with 21 LGAs, is one of the 36 Component Units or States (plus the Federal Capital Territory) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The State, among others, embraced the return to civil rule in late May 1999 and had been governed legally and constitutionally since then as well as by ‘doctrine of necessity’ for purpose of avoiding anarchic leadership vacuum.

“With a four year tenure, renewable once, if re-elected; the State was governed for four years (29th May 1999-29th May 2003) by Dr. CC Mbadinuju from Ihiala zone of the Anambra South; nearly three years (29th May 2003-17th March 2006) through doctrine of necessity (later declared by courts as an interloper government) by Dr Chris Ngige from Anambra Central; and eight years (17th March 2006-17th March 2014) by Mr. Peter Obi from same Anambra Central; as well as eight years (17th March 2014 -17th March 2022) by Mr. Willie Obiano from Omambala part of the Anambra North. It must be further reminded that under the eight years of Mr. Peter Obi, the laws of the land added the brief intervals the duo of Madam Virginia Etiaba and Mr. Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba (Andy) held sway (in acting capacity) in the counting of Mr. Obi’s eight years (17th March 2006-17th March 2014).

“Equity & Fairness Heavily Favor Anambra South

“Strictly speaking and going by the principles of equity and fairness, the Anambra Central had since the return to civil rule on 29th May 1999 governed the State legitimately and by default for eleven years, Anambra North eight years and Anambra South for only four years. Apart from nearly three default years held by the Anambra Central per Dr Chris Ngige, the Anambra Central and the Anambra North, by law, had governed or deemed to have governed the State for eight years each while the Anambra South was left with only four years (29th May 1999-29th May 2003). Today, the gubernatorial power shift has rotated among the three Senatorial Districts and come back to Anambra South.

“The Principle of Power Shift Must Not Be Broken When It Reaches the Turn of Anambra South

“The above position of ours strongly stems from renewed interests by some politicians from zones other than Anambra South to contest for the seat of Anambra Gov in 2021. The camp of Dr Chris Ngige, a current Federal Minister and former default Governor of the State is said to have recently told the media that ‘pressure is being mounted on him to return as Anambra Governor in 2021’. Dr. Chris Nigige is from the same Anambra Central that consecutively governed the State both legitimately and by default for eleven years.

“Another former Gov from the same Senatorial District, Mr. Peter Obi, though highly respected and accomplished achiever in public office was also copiously quoted in the media recently as declaring that ‘zoning or governorship rotation in Anambra State is dead or abolished’; meaning that henceforth the seat is thrown open. For us at Intersociety and going by sampling opinions from majority of the People of Anambra South, the views of Dr. Chris Ngige and Mr. Peter Obi, if truly expressed, are strictly personal. Such views or interests, if true, are totally rejected because they strongly go against the principles of equity and fairness.

Intersociety urged “the people of Anambra South rise up “to take what rightly is theirs.” It said: “The People of Anambra South are hereby called upon to rise in strong defense of their right to takeover democratically and govern the State come 17th March 2022. Intersociety is strongly against political domination, exclusion and segregation of any type in any area, space and time. It is not only that the gubernatorial seat of the State shall be shifted to the Anambra South, but it must also be conceded to the Political Zone by consensus.”

Tackling the religious angle, the rights group declared that it is “time for Catholic Church to step aside after 19 consecutive years of producing Anambra Governor.”

Its argument: “The shift in the Anambra Governorship seat must also include denominational shift. A situation whereby the Catholic Church has consecutively produced the Governor of the State for the past nineteen (19) years or from 29th May 2003 to 17th March 2022 is denominationally dictatorial and unfair. It is time for members of the Pentecostal and Anglican churches or even traditional religions to be given a chance. To ensure this, the Catholic Bishops and the Laity should join hands with others in search of a moderate and charismatic non Catholic as the next Gov of Anambra State.”