Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State says his successor in 2023 will emerge through a process of dialogue anchored on justice and equity.
Ugwuanyi said this on Thursday in Enugu during a political rally organised by Enugu East Senatorial District.
The governor, who was responding to requests by the people of the zone that he should pick his successor from the area, said that their messages were well understood.
“I have listened to all the speeches. Rest assured that the contents and contexts of the messages were well understood. Dialogue, equity and justice shall take preeminence at the fullness of time,” he said.
Ugwuanyi said that he appreciated the support given to him by the people of the zone, adding that such would not be taken for granted.
The governor said that the zone emerged as the area that gave him the second highest vote in 2019 governorship election.
He commended the people of the area for their contribution to the prevailing peace in the state, adding that all hands must be on deck to sustain the same even at the expiration of his tenure.
Ugwuanyi said that his desire was to leave the state in absolute peace at the expiration of his tenure.
Earlier, the Convener of the rally and Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Edward Ubosi, said that it was the turn of the zone to produce the next governor of the state in line with existing zoning policy.
Ubosi said that the zone, comprising six local government areas, would support whoever would emerge from the area.
In a goodwill message, Dr Ben Nwoye, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Enugu State Chapter, said that the party had already zoned the governorship position to Enugu East Senatorial District.
Nwoye appealed to the leadership of the People Democratic Party (PDP) to also zone the position to the area.
The APC chairman said that he was at the event to plead with the governor to anoint his successor from the zone.
According to Nwoye, if the PDP accede to the request, then the two political parties would then slug it out at the polls.
However, the Chairman of the PDP, Chief Augustine Nnamani, said that the PDP had its internal procedure and had not zoned the position.
Nnamani, however, said that the leadership of the party would meet soon to deliberate on the zone that would produce the next governor of the state.
“In no distant time, the party will meet but rest assured that everything will go as planned. As the true son of the zone, I cannot go against your wishes,” Nnamani said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other dignitaries that spoke in favour of the zone producing the next governor of the state included former governor of Old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo.
Others are Sen. Ken Nnamani, members of the National Assembly from the zone and traditional rulers from the zone. (NAN)
