Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu’s governorship ambition in Enugu State has suffered setback as leaders of the state have insisted on the zoning agreement of the position.
Former governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo and other leaders of Enugu State, yesterday, affirmed that the existing agreement on the rotation of the gubernatorial position of the state has ruled out Ekweremadu because it was the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District to produce the next governor.
Ekweremadu, however, dismissed the claim, saying that his plans for the state superseded any rotation agreement, insisting that the time was ripe for him to avail Enugu of the knowledge, experience and contacts he had acquired over the years to transform the state.
The former Deputy President of the Senate, who hails from Enugu West Senatorial District, has been consulting key stakeholders across the state on his governorship ambition.
But Nwodo, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), confirmed the stance when members of the Nkanu East Leaders Consultative Forum (NELCF) led by former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, visited him to seek support for the governorship slot to Enugu East Senatorial District.
He said: “There was an agreement for the rotation of governorship position among the three senatorial zones during former Governor Sullivan Chimes administration.”
Nwodo, who expressed delight at the unity and sense of purpose of NELCF, added: “With such bond and commitment, there was nothing they cannot achieve.
But I will be happier if Enugu East zone considers Nkanu East for the governorship position.”
Recalling how the understanding was initiated, he said: “I was happy when under Chime, we decided that we shall be rotating the governorship position in Enugu State.
“That day, I was at the Government House when zoning was agreed upon. It was Dubem Onyia, who moved the motion that Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East Senatorial District had become governor and Chime was on the saddle from Enugu West Senatorial District. He argued that after Chime, the governorship slot should move to Enugu North Senatorial District.”
However, in a statement issued by Ekweremadu’s Media Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, he (Ekweremadu) stressed that he would deploy his experience in the governance of Enugu State.
Enugu State gave me huge opportunities as pioneer Chairman of Aninri Council, Chief of Staff (COS) to the Governor, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), five-term Senator, three-term Deputy President of the Senate, as well as Deputy Speaker and Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament. I have served on a number of important committees and several global positions.
“Over the years and in the course of my political journey, I have met world leaders, business leaders and made friends in both the private and public sectors of the national and global economies.
He, therefore, insisted that by his experience, he was best qualified and prepared for the job of Enugu State governor come 2023.
