By Musa Baba Adamu
A former Nigerian Senator, Samuel Anyanwu, has endorsed zoning of the 2023 Imo State governorship position to Owerri senatorial zone, regretting that since the creation of Imo State, no person from the zone had governed the State beyond 24 months.
Anyanwu, who represented Owerri Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, said the reason why other states in the South East and South South geopolitical zones are making waves is that they have paid high level of respect to zoning formula, wondering why Imo’s case is different.
The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Ikenna Onuoha, said “while the Igbos are agitating against marginalization by the Nigerian government, Imo people should in like manner recall the injustice meted out at Owerri zone and ensure that equity and fairness are seen to be done in future.”
He stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to correct the injustice against the Owerri zone as part of the efforts to bring every zone under one table as brothers by supporting the zone in 2023.
“Imo is one of the states in Nigeria with the highest number of educated persons. It will be embarrassing for outsiders to see that our state is not making any impact in the areas of employment creation, health, technology, agriculture, education, public utilities and quality road construction,” he said.
He expressed annoyance that those maltreating Owerri zone are the same people clamoring and crying for the inclusion of the South East in the sharing of federal appointments.
He urged men and women of conscience to speak against marginalization of Owerri zone in the power sharing before it is too late.
The 2019 PDP gubernatorial aspirant said that zoning arrangement allows for easy development and ensures that every component unit is at par with each other, appealing to those opposed to the idea to have a change of heart.
