Ahead of the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 2021, a group has asked political parties in the state to zone it’s ticket to Anambra south in the interest of peace, justice and equity.
The group The League of Anambra Young Professionals (LAY-P), said for a society to progress, it must be seem to promote the core values of fairness, justice and equity
In a statement issued at the end of its 3rd Annual Conference held virtually on the 3rd of May 2021 with the theme: Leadership in Contemporary Nigeria and the Anambra of our dreams.
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The group, made up of budding young entrepreneurs and business owners, academics, IT experts, medical practitioners, development and public policy consultants as well as media practitioners from all over Nigeria and abroad charged political parties to consider only credible candidates with the right pedigree and proven record of accomplishments in their private endeavor.
While expressing what they consider to be very critical leadership qualities expected from the next Governor, the President of the League, Mr. Arthur Ibeneme also lent his voice to the growing calls for political parties to choose their candidates from Anambra South Senatorial District.
While speaking on inclusive leadership, Mr Ibeneme made the case for Anambra South Senatorial District to produce the next Governor as it is the right thing to do at this point in time.
“Considering the political dynamics of the State and in the spirit of equity, fairness and inclusiveness, it is incumbent upon political parties to ensure that Anambra South which currently boasts of an array of eminently qualified aspirants be given a fair shot at the polls. He said, only political parties that are bent on self-sabotage and deception will field a candidate from other Senatorial Districts.
“The reason for this is not far-fetched. The typical Anambrarian has a sense of fairness in all his dealings and this is not limited to political expediency. Since the turn of democracy in 1999, every Senatorial District has produced a governor to serve the State for at least two terms except for Anambra South whose Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, 1999-2003 served a single term and was rightly rejected by majority of Ndi Anambra for poor performance. Since then, the State has had democratically elected Governors as follows:
• Chris Ngige: 2003-2006 (Anambra Central)
• Peter Obi: 2006-2014 (Anambra Central)
• Willie Obiano: 2014-2022 (Anambra North).
“From the foregoing, it is clear that Anambra Central has had more than its fair share and should not be entertained by any serious party until Anambra South has completed another term and perhaps given an opportunity to redeem themselves. It is proper and equitable to balance the equation.
He went further to state that equity delights in equality and that whoever comes into equity must come with clean hands.
“It is hypocritical for Ndigbo to be clamoring for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in the 2023 General elections while perpetuating the very same political injustice to a region right in their backyard. The Anambra South District has a set of highly qualified and capable aspirants seeking to govern the State. They should be given a shot at the office.
Political parties must not encourage people who offer nothing but money to confuse them in the build up to their respective party primaries. Any party who violates these key tenets of equity will definitely fall short at the Gubernatorial Elections in November 2021.
