Enugu: Pressure group kick against Nnamani’s zoning claim

Enugu Rescue Group has dismissed Chimaroke Nnamani’s zoning proclamation, asserting that the power-sharing arrangement has never been a fixture in the state.

Nnamani, who governed Enugu from 1999 till 2007, stated on Sunday, February 20 that the state’s East Senatorial Zone ought to produce the next governor due to the perceived organisation.

In a strongly-worded response to the former governor, the pressure group censured the 61-year-old senator.

“We have observed the reckless utterances and claims of Dr Chimaroke Nnamani and wonder when he became the spokesperson of all former governors and Enugu political leaders, including those he does not see eye to eye with,” the group statement via its national coordinator Ejike Iloh read.

“Nnamani in his usual air of arrogance is playing God. We make bold to say that by verifiable records on the contests for the governorship of Enugu State since 1998/1999, there is nothing like zoning principle in the state.

“Power has gone round the three geopolitical zones, but not based on any predefined zoning principle, as Nnamani seeks to sell to unsuspecting Nigerians.”

Several instances were then listed by the Enugu Rescue Group, seemingly corroborating the absence of zoning in Enugu over the years.

“Where was zoning when Nnamani contested against Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu of the All Peoples Party (APP), who hails from Enugu West in the main election in 1999?

“Where was zoning during the highly volatile 2003 governorship election that became a straight fight between Nnamani of Enugu East and Ambassador Fidel Ayogu of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), who hails from Enugu North?

“Where was zoning when even Nnamani’s deputy, Dr Ezenwata Okechukwu Itanyi from Enugu North contested against Nnamani’s anointed successor, Sullivan Chime, from Enugu West, in the 2007 PDP governorship primary and only lost by a narrow margin?”

The group concluded by reiterating to Nnamani how zoning is far from feasible, regardless of strong backing.