The League of Good Governance Advocates on Social Media drawn from various political parties and interest groups across Anambra South Zone, met on Monday, August 26, 2019 at De Geogold Hotel, Awka to deliberate on zoning with regards to Anambra 2021 governorship election and unanimously arrived at the following:

1. That unarguably, the introduction of EQUITY in the governance of Anambra has panned out the most stabilizing legacy bequeathed on our dear state by the immediate past administration. We are of the opinion that the innovation, whether written or otherwise, at a time Anambra North was evidently suffering grave marginalization, fulfilled a genuine and urgent desire to keep the state as one united and happy family where no zone is seen to oppress or emasculate the other.

2. That sadly, as the Anambra 2021 governorship election approaches, those bent on running against the tide have in their bid to truncate the prevailing arrangement, argued that what was facilitated in 2013 when the incumbent Governor emerged was Equity; not zoning. Interestingly, whether we call that stabilizing factor EQUITY or ZONING, the fact remains that there is a thin line separating the two. Even at that, none can exist without the other.

3. That even when the performance of a Governor at any time falls below par, it should not be allowed to truncate the huge importance of ensuring that every zone in the state is availed a deep sense of belonging, which zoning effectively ensures. Accordingly, after eleven [11] nearly uninterrupted years [2003 – 2014] of occupying the governorship seat by Anambra Central Zone; and eight [8] years for certain [2014 -2022] by Anambra North [by the time the incumbent exits office in 2022], it is only equitable that the two zones support power to return to Anambra South, almost nineteen very long years after power left its shores; outside the brief fourteen [14] days cum three [3] months interlude in 2006 and 2007 respectively. This should be more so in the face of the fact that cumulatively viewed, Anambra South has not occupied the position beyond a little over six [6] years since the state was created in 1992.

4. That it is fallacious to submit that zoning breeds mediocrity, as some antagonists of equity lamely but ferociously argue. And nothing exposes that fallacy better than the mediocre performances replete in states where the principle of zoning does not apply. On the contrary, we hold the view that in every LGA in the state, can be found the quality of individual[s] who have the capacity to govern our cherished state well. What to do is to seek out such people. Gladly, Anambra South is not suffering a dearth of such individuals as they abound within the comity of aspirants from the zone believed to be interested in 2021.

5. That in these days when excessive resources are deployed by aspirants for campaigns, as our state is unfortunately notorious for, application of Zoning/Equity will reduce, to a drastic level, the huge finances involved in the state's gubernatorial contests.

6. That going by the political mood pervading the state, it can be effortlessly deduced that a preponderance of the Anambra electorate, be it in the North, Central or South, are prepared and irrevocably committed to voting for quality candidates of Anambra South extraction, their party leaning regardless.

7. Very importantly too, we wish to draw the attention of all our 'No Zoning' crusaders to the fact that an Igbo Presidency can only come via zoning. That being the case, politicians across Nigeria are keenly watching. If we say no to zoning in Anambra, they will be waiting to remind us at the appropriate curve.

8. Lastly, we cannot therefore draw the curtain without imploring all the parties in the state to categorically state that their 2021 gubernatorial ticket will be heading south, as the All Progressives Grand Alliance [APGA] has done; that is the path to sustaining a Greater and more United Anambra.

Thank you and God bless Anambra State!

SOURCE: ANAMBRA SOUTH SOCIAL MEDIA GROUP MAKES CASE FOR 2021 ZONING