By Cajetan Mmuta
The apex Igbo Socio-Cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Council of traditional rulers, professionals, and other core stakeholders on Wednesday unanimously endorsed the South Senatorial district of Anambra state as the area to produce the next Governor of the state.

The stakeholders stated this in a communique read at the end of one day town hall meeting held in Awka the state capital.

Stakeholders during the exhaustive deliberations including the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, traditional rulers, seasoned technocrats, captains of industry, town union President Generals, leaders, and elders as well as groups drawn from across the three senatorial zones chorused with one voice that it is the turn of the south to produce the next Chief executive of the state.

The resolution was in line with an earlier meeting by the major actors and groups in 2017, stressing that the measure was to guarantee peace and ensure equity, fair play, and understanding among the three zones.

They enjoined political parties to choose their candidates for the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship election from the South Senatorial zone, pointing out that any group or parties aversed to the arrangement should have a rethink in the interest of peace and corporate existence of people of the state.

The meeting noted that the zoning structure became imperative because of the numerous benefits that accrue from it.

According to them the zoning system would enthrone peace in the political environment and encourage harmonious relationships, peaceful elections, reduces expenses by aspirants, reduce violence and minimize the cost of litigations, amongst others.

Speakers at the parley agreed that there was the need to take the message to all the political parties, religious bodies, and town unions to pave way for a better understanding of the concept and acceptance in order to reduce tension and to support the stricture.

The Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide Anambra state chapter, Chief Damian Okeke observed that the state is blessed with personalities with enormous potentials and capabilities and therefore it would be fair and balanced for the position of who becomes Governor of the state is rotated among the three zones to avoid racist, guarantee peace, show love and togetherness.

He said Ohanaeze is not in support of any political party or candidate but wants to support, galvanize and mobilize strategies towards the realization of any leadership project of the Igbo extraction especially the 2023 Presidency of southeast geo-political zone and the November 6th Governorship poll in the state.

According to him, “There is nothing God has prepared that cannot be realized.”

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While appealing to the citizens of the state to shun bitterness and rancor, Chief Okeke said “We are here to send the message where it is needed. Ohanaeze is in a better position to talk about zoning, we don’t have any candidate we are backing.”

He lauded the state governor Chief Willie Obiano for his support for the zoning arrangement, adding that the governor’s body language had shown that he supports the structure hence he is a beneficiary of the principle

In his remarks, His Royal Majesty Igwe  S. I. Okafor, the Ogene Okpunor applauded the ideal vision and commitment of organizers of the gathering and called for all the stakeholders to embrace the gesture with every sense of maturity and patriotism.

The monarch said the exercise was to avoid misunderstanding and Rancour from any section on the governance of the state.

Barr Titus A. Akpudo said the zoning arrangement encourages equity and understanding stressing that “We must support and embrace zoning so that it would serve as a model and future reference point for future generations and we must support the south because they have what it takes to govern the state”

Other speakers at the meeting include the former Chief Judge of the State, Prof Peter Umeadi, and Chief Emma Okafor who is the Secretary of Ohanaeze in the state, and several others in attendance.