Shortly after the 2015 general elections that threw up Engr David Umahi as governor, I engaged my mentor and friend, Prof Ozor Nweke Ozor, former Secretary to the State Government (of blessed memory) in a hearty conversation. They were two major candidates in the election—Arc Nkwagu and Engr Umahi— representing North and South geopolitical zones in the state, and two major parties, Labour and PDP.
I asked him why Abakaliki bloc left Nkwagu their son in Labour Party and voted for Umahi from South in PDP. The answer was as succinct as it was revealing. He told me without any measure of hyperbole that the Abakaliki bloc voted for Umahi because they wanted power shift to the south. That was Ozor, frank, pithy and inimitable!
For some weeks now, I have gone through a plethora of opinionated articles on the rationality or otherwise for Ebonyi South to contest the 2023 governorship elections. It is normal, power does not drop from heaven like manna, that is why it is called power struggle in political science. However, this argument becomes stronger, especially from the southern bloc, when we understand that the rotational circle will be completed in 2023 which leaves the governorship seat open for any zone to pick.
These proponents argue that in any sharing or contributory scheme like Nsusu in Igboland, the last person to receive is automatically the first to receive in another circle. That is true, to a large extent. But politics is not Nsusu. This argument is arising chiefly because a strong contender from the South who has all it takes to clinch the PDP ticket has put his heart in the ring. But the arguments are politically illogical, factually false and morally unethical especially when you are operating from the point of weakness.
They further contend that the Charter of Equity which spelt out how power will be shared among the three zones in the state was not signed. But that is puerile. Britain operates an unwritten constitution which has lasted for centuries. It is neither written nor signed but the terms are observed to the letter. Now that we have peacefully observed the rotation without political brickbats from any zone, common sense dictates that we should observe it to the letter.
But whatever may be the position of the canvassers, should we jettison an already observed protocol because one of us, well heeled, is in the race? Should we, because of the vaulting ambition of one, bring calamity on the rest of us? Why can’t we see beyond today, and beyond the transient and shifting sands of power? As we inch day by day towards 2023, and especially the governorship primaries of PDP, Ebonyi South should stand with the Abakaliki bloc the same way they stood with us when Edon in his usual manner came to put sand and mortar in our garri.
We should learn from history. In Benue state, there was a time the Idoma ethnic group dominated power to the chagrin of the Tivs which is the dominant ethnic group in the state. But one day, the Tivs woke up from their slumber and vowed never to let go of power anytime they succeed in snatching it away from the porous and slippery fingers of the Idoma. Till today, the Tivs have held tenaciously to power to the exclusion of other ethnic groups in Benue.
That is what may likely play out in Ebonyi state in the future in the event we allow sentiment and greed for power to take the better part of us. From its geographical configuration, Ebonyi state has two major ethnic groups—the Ezza and the Izzi—that constitute the Abakaliki bloc. They are brothers, and undeniably in the majority, with eight LGAs as against five in the South. Population wise, they hold the ace too. Thus, it is possible for them to sink whatever differences they have and dominate power like the Tivs to the exclusion of the South for a very long time. Constitutionally, what they merely need to get along is 25% of votes from the South to become governor.
This is the political reality on ground today, and that is why it is politically suicidal for south to play Oliver Twist now.
This week, PDP will hold their governorship primaries. In a state with a high percentage of poverty, delegates easily become a pawn in the political chess board. Like Esau, many are ready to sell their votes to whoever becomes the highest bidder. While the lure of money may be too tempting and almost irresistible, the delegates especially from south should remember this scenario I painted. What is at stake is not about money but about the political future of our zone and our children.
Infrastructure-wise, especially roads, David Umahi has earned even the admiration of his foes. The person we need in 2023 in Ebonyi State is someone that will up the ante in the tempo of comprehensive development.
Like Ozor Nweke Ozor said, the time to do right is now because it is expediently right for south to stand with the Abakaliki bloc. The PDP delegates should vote right and spare the state any unnecessary struggle for political dominance from any zone.
