Elder statesman, Senator Jim Nwobodo has said that he has no powers to endorse who will become the next Governor of Enugu State in the 2023 election.
Nwobodo however insisted that there was an unwritten consensus in Enugu state which makes it expedient that Enugu east senatorial district would produce the next Governor of the state, adding that in Enugu East senatorial zone, Nkanu East local government council should be encouraged to produce the next governor, giving the backwardness of the council area.
The former Governor of old Anambra state made the statements in a press briefing, on Wednesday, where he also denied a media report that he had endorsed a particular governorship aspirant in the state.
Nwobodo said that it was only Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who can endorse a governorship candidate in the state since he is still a serving governor.
He said “Power belongs to God and God gives people the power to choose their leaders. As an elder statesman, I cannot endorse and I cannot go to somebody’s house to endorse him, rather the person should come to my house.”
He stressed that Nkanu East remains the most disadvantaged area in Nkanuland, noting that even Isi-Uzo local government is more developed than Nkanu East local government council.
“I want to reconfirm that for fairness, equity and Justice, a Nkanu East person deserves to be made Governor so that they can develop their people. My position on Nkanu East has not changed, and my visit to Chinyeaka Ohaa’s new home has nothing to do with my support for Nkanu East,” Nwobodo said.
On the issue of zoning of governorship in the state, Nwobodo said: “We have an unwritten zoning system and it should be maintained. Don’t abuse me because I am telling the truth. After Enugu East, it will go to Enugu west and after that, it will return to Enugu North. It’s just something we must practice.”
Meanwhile, former Governor of Enugu State and Senator representing Enugu East in the Senate, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has reiterated that it is the prerogative of the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to produce his successor without challenges.
This he said was in line with the precedent for the incumbent governor of the state to determine his successor at least since 1999.
Senator Nnamani said in a facebook post that “We have a tradition in Enugu State politics. The governor is the leader who directs affairs. He will determine who succeeds him without compromising the electoral processes and whomever he chooses will be our next governor.
“I have absolute loyalty and respect for my governor who is also the leader of Ebeano political family . He has demonstrated capacity and leadership. We are waiting for him to lead the way to go in 2023 and we shall follow”.
Enugu State is among the few in the country that enjoys political harmony on account of adherence to zoning or rotation of key political offices in the three senatorial districts especially the governorship seat since 1999.
Senator Nnamani from Enugu East was the state governor from 1999 to 2007, Sullivan Chime from Enugu West took over from 2007 to 2015 while the incumbent governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from Enugu North is expected to complete the cycle in 2023.
It is expected that the governorship slot returns to Enugu East for the second round of the rotation in 2023.
Senator Nnamani said he was excited by the political developments in the state where accomplished sons and daughters are showing interest in the politics of the state and prayed that the best amongst them emerges as governor in 2023.
He stated: “Virtually all the aspirants belong to the Ebeano political family. One hundred percent of them are my primary, secondary and by-products. Some may have close affinity with me which explains the understandable speculations on whom I may be supporting. But it is the governor that will choose his successor. The political machinery in the state including the Ebeano family will be rolled out to support whomever he chooses.
He advised those fanning the embers of war to sheathe their swords “because there is no war to be fought. We are one family, whomever emerges will be governor for all.
“No matter the machinations, conspiracies and subterfuges over the governorship primary of our party, we will have a successful transition under the leadership and guidance of our governor.
“It is understandable that some of those who are posturing are seeking for relevance or seeking for political appointments in other parties. That is the beauty of democracy, he said.
Senator Nnamani reiterated that he has forgiven all those who may have wronged him in the past saying “I harbour no grudges against any one. I have no fears or concerns about anyone. That era is confined to the dustbin of history. We are moving forward as one family for greater Enugu State”.
