By Toby Chuks, Awka- Nigeria
As Anambra State gears up for the 2025 gubernatorial election, the Oga Ndi Oga Foundation, a prominent grassroots movement, is making a renewed push for a refined zoning system. This proposal aims to narrow the rotation of power to a more localized level within the state to reflect fairness and transparency in the political processes
The Foundation argues that it is now the turn of the Nnewi bloc in the Anambra South Senatorial Zone to assume the governorship role, completing an eight-year rotation for the region.
In a recent press conference held at their headquarters in Awka, the state capital, High Chief Godwin Agbasimelo, the Founder and CEO of the Oga Ndi Oga Foundation, laid out the group’s position. Agbasimelo emphasized the necessity of micro-zoning the governorship seat among the blocs or clans within each senatorial district to address concerns of nepotism and ensure equitable governance.
“It is evident that incumbent governors often favor their own blocs or clans in both appointments and development projects,” Agbasimelo stated. “Having observed the political landscape since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, we believe it is now Nnewi’s turn to produce the next governor of Anambra State in 2025.”
Anambra South Senatorial Zone consists of three blocs: Nnewi, Aguata, and Ihiala. According to Agbasimelo, while Ihiala and Aguata have previously held the governorship—through Mbadinuju and the current governor, Charles Soludo, respectively—Nnewi has yet to produce a governor. The Foundation advocates for a candidate from any of Nnewi’s local government areas—Nnewi North, Nnewi South, or Ekwusigo—to step into the role in 2025.
Agbasimelo stressed the importance of fair play and justice, proposing that micro-zoning within the senatorial district would allow for a more balanced distribution of political power. He rejected concerns that allowing another governor from Anambra South, outside of Soludo’s remaining term, would risk extending the region’s governorship tenure beyond the eight-year mark. He suggested that any new governor from Anambra South would likely serve only a single term of four years, paving the way for a new senatorial district to take the helm thereafter.
The Foundation has also issued a warning to aspiring candidates from Anambra North and Central Senatorial Districts, urging them to reconsider their ambitions if they oppose the zoning principle. Agbasimelo cautioned that disregarding the established rotation system could lead to significant resistance from the Southern Senatorial District.
In addition to the governorship debate, Agbasimelo addressed the upcoming Local Government elections, arguing that the current 45-day preparation period is inadequate. He highlighted examples from neighboring states like Enugu and Imo, where election dates were announced months in advance to ensure thorough preparation. Agbasimelo questioned how stakeholders could manage the extensive logistics required for 21 local governments and 326 wards, involving at least 18 political parties, within such a short time-frame.
He goes further to argue “how can we use 45 days to prepare for election in 21 Local Governments and 326 wards involving no fewer than 18 political parties?. Les we forget there is going to be campaign for party nominations by aspirants who want to contest for chairmanship and councilorship, then political parties will screen the aspirants and conduct primary elections before going into State wide campaign for the main elections, so how do we get all these done within 45 days”
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