With the governorship election of Anambra State drawing close, a political group under the aegis of Great Anambra Forum (GAFORUM) has called on the State Government not to renegade on the zoning formula already instituted in the state. The forum comprises professionals in different fields, politicians, technocrats, religious bodies, town unions and leaders of various associations.

Addressing journalists in Awka on Wednesday, GAFORUM Coordinator, Mr. Fabian Ozoigbo, said the group had agreed that the governorship of the state should shift to the South Senatorial zone of the state at the end of the tenure of incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano’s tenure.

Said Ozoigbo: “As we approach 2021 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, politicians across the state have started jostling for political relevance. But of paramount importance is the issue of where the governor will come from, after the incumbent has exhausted his tenure.

“The forum recognises the fact that each of the 21 local government areas can produce a sound individual who is qualified to contest and become the next governor, no matter the criteria, but that is unhealthy and can be counterproductive.”

Ozoigbo maintained that an unwritten pact exists in Anambra State that spells out its zoning formula saying that the result of a survey it carried showed that over 70 per cent of respondents favoured the southern senatorial zone for the position of the governor.

“Out of a total 1,630 questionnaires distributed, 71 per cent of respondents preferred Anambra South to produce the next governor because of the existence of the zoning formula,” he noted.

GAFORUM, while calling on the people of the south senatorial zone to start an early search for a unique candidate that would replace Obiano, urged political stakeholders in the state to respect the zoning pact.

It further advised that a candidate with character, competence, proven integrity, performance, and quality education should serve as criteria for choosing the candidate.

The group further stressed that the state no longer need a Diaspora governor this time, insisting that anyone who will be governor, must have lived among the people for at least 10 years and also be familiar with the people of the state.

“We don’t want people who will return from abroad to take governance, that is part of the criteria,” Ozoigbo said.

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