Why zoning may not be the best option for Akwa Ibom
The dynamics of the 2015 governorship race in Akwa Ibom State is as interesting as it is worrisome. Already, the polity is seriously heating up about who will emerge as Governor Godswill Akpabio’s successor. But sadly, the debate is not about the qualities of the person or his or her ability to continue with or even surpass Akpabio’s uncommon transformation agenda, rather the clash of interest has brought long-held ethnic sentiments to the fore under the guise of zoning.
In my opinion, the zoning formula should not characterise the rules of engagement in the current dispensation or at any other time for that matter. Choosing the next governor of Akwa Ibom State on the basis of zoning is completely wrong. Zoning should not replace merit; rather, the race should be a free and open contest for competent, educated and visionary folks whatever part of the state they may hail from. The electorate should be allowed to make the final decision about who will be their next governor.
Let it be said that zoning, in the form it is being advocated, gives undue advantage to people on the basis of their ethnicity or in this case senatorial zone. People should not be given more than they deserve. It is, indeed, appalling to note that in this day and age when every country is trying to showcase its best to the world, some people are still clamouring for the zoning formula as the basis for choosing a high-ranking official of the level of a state governor.
But how, in God’s name, did we get here in the first instance? And when did the zoning formula creep into our politics? If ever a rotational system was discussed among the three senatorial districts of the state, was there any communiqué to that effect? And was the final decision passed into law by the state House of Assembly? Was it ever documented in the edict of Akwa Ibom State? Where is sense in all of these? There are questions and more questions begging for answers.
The way I view the scenario, maybe a few friends got together, drank too much alcohol and held a debate in their drunken state in which they probably agreed on a rotational method for hosting their party, which they are now trying to foist on the rest of us. That may be the only way to explain the madness.
For the avoidance of doubt, the process of the emergence of a state governor should be by a free and open contest. Aspirants should be given equal opportunity and a level playing field regardless of the senatorial district they hail from or their ethnic orientation.
Furthermore, zoning encourages tribalism and division among the people as much as it promotes discrimination. It may even encourage corruption because whoever the zoning formulation throws up feels that it is the turn of his tribe to enjoy the largesse of the state and at the expense of the people, and may go in with the intention to loot and plunder the system. The noise around rotational governorship is already beginning to create hatred among the people. We cannot afford the feeling of hatred among a people who have co-existed in peace, love and harmony for over a quarter of a century since the creation of Akwa Ibom State by the military administration of Ibrahim Babangida on 23 September, 1987.
This turn-by-turn politics which is being advocated by the ethnic warlords implies that democracy has been a failure and we have to put a rotational arrangement in place before some voices can be heard. But if I may ask, where are the voices? And what is preventing them from coming forward to declare their intention? Are we practising democracy or zonacracy?
We should place the interest of the state and the future of its citizens over and above any primordial consideration. Every qualified candidate should come out and compete on equal levels and let the best candidate be chosen as governor. Zoning is not only bad for the present; it is detrimental to our future as a people and is not the magic wand that its promoters think it is.
The principle of merit and competitiveness among the people of Akwa Ibom State should apply. Zoning defies all logic and we cannot move forward as a people by putting round pegs in square holes, and preventing the best from emerging. The process of emergence of a state governor should be by fair and open contest. That is what democracy is all about. President Barack Obama of the United States of America did not become president because it was the turn of the African-Americans to produce the president of the United States. No. On the contrary, he was very qualified, competent and worked very hard for his eventual success.
Judging from the way the debate is going, proponents of the zoning formula are even ready to choose an incompetent candidate over a qualified one. Akwa Ibomites should never sacrifice our bright future on the altar of mediocrity just to soothe the fat egos of the ethnic warlords.
My verdict is that the door for the governorship race should be thrown open for everyone on the basis of merit. That is the only way we can guarantee justice, fair play and overall better results. What Akwa Ibom needs is a young, dynamic and visionary leader who will continue or even surpass the achievements of the Akpabio administration and not an ethnic bigot foisted on the state to execute the agenda of his godfathers. This zoning business will only further divide us and we cannot afford it.
Monday contributed this piece from Uyo.
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