Former Governor Peter Obi has denied introducing zoning in the gubernatorial elections in Anambra State.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate made this known in a statement by his media adviser, Valentine Obienyem, on Sunday.
Mr. Obienyem was reacting to reports crediting Mr. Obi with the introduction of zoning in the gubernatorial politics of the state.
Acknowledging that Obi was the person who, single-handedly, insisted that the governorship should go to Anambra North against even the position of his party at that time, Obienyem said it was more of Obi trying to achieve balance of representation to avoid what was clearly unjust and capable of snowballing into crisis for the state.
Clarifying further, Obienyem explained that the position of his boss was equity, saying that it should be confused with entrenchment of rotation in Anambra’s Charter of Equity or whatever it is.
“If at any time the state wants rotation or any form of political arrangement, it would not be the imposition of one man because, if allowed to stand, history may interpret such as a predisposition of Obi to autocracy. In a democracy, decisions are by consensus and not a one-man-show,” Obienyem observed.
He condemned the reference to Obi by some elements whenever divisive issues come up, saying: “If they are looking for noble actions of Obi to commend and emulate, they are legion.
“They should start by imbibing his spirit of hard work and resourcefulness hat made Anambra a reference point during his tenure.
“They should emulate his insistence on saving for the state even at a time the country was undergoing its worst economic crisis that enabled him to save over N75 billion for the state.
“They should imbibe his support to education and other exploits that made Anambra to be rated as the best in road construction and financial management under him. These are desiderata for the growth and development of our dear state.”
