*Zoning, a Case for Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency*

By Reuben Onyishi
(Ugoachataberu)

Zoning has found itself in the discourse of Nigerian politics on account of our heterogeneity. Zoning douses the feelings of subjugation and marginalization in the union where allegiances are owed to the ethnic divides. Zoning, therefore has become the cord that binds the thawed viscosity of our union. Zoning is implied in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as federal character. It is a conscious effort to ensure that the six zonal structures that constitute Nigeria are evenly represented in the sharing of political offices. This understanding has permeated all the tiers of government and has become the tradition in Nigeria. So, in the light of this, zoning does not sail on the surface of the zones; it percolates into the inner recesses of the zonal structures.

The popular view in Enugu State is that it is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial Zone to produce Governor Ugwuanyi's successor. The expectation is that the same principles of zoning should be applied at the Enugu East Senatorial Zone to make for inclusivity, justice, equity and fairplay. Zoning has historical application and the truth of history sustains it. The historical truth is that only one out of the three constituencies in the zone has yet to produce a governor and that is Enugu East Federal/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency. At the state level, we look at the senatorial zones and at the zonal level, consideration is given to federal constituencies that constitute the zones. Since Enugu North/Enugu South and Nkanu West/ Nkanu East Federal constituencies have had governors from their places, equity demands that Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency be given a chance to produce Ugwuanyi's successor in the spirit of the truth of zoning: equity, justice, fairplay and inclusivity. If this is not done, then the argument for zoning is defeated abinitio.

Enugu East Senatorial Zone has three federal constituencies: Enugu North/ Enugu South Federal Constituency, Nkanu West/Nkanu East Federal Constituency and Enugu East/ Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency. These constituencies are constitutionally recognized and take precedence over the local governments. Enugu North/Enugu North Federal Constituency had in the past produced Chief Jim Nwobodo and Late C.C. Onoh as governors and recently Nkanu West/Nkanu East Federal Constituency produced Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani who held sway as the governor of Enugu State for 8 years, from 1999 to 2007. Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency has no so much as heard of a governor to say nothing of producing one. Now that power is returning to Enugu East Senatorial Zone, it can only be fair and equitable that consideration be given to the weeping constituency, Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency.

In the discourse of 2023 power shift to Enugu East Senatorial Zone, undue emphasis has been being placed on local governments without due consideration to the main structures that constitute the zone. Enugu State is made up of three senatorial structures: Enugu North, West and East. Since the zoning of the governorship seat revolves around these zones, it is also important to note that at Enugu East Senatorial Zone, there are three structural constituents and they are the three federal constituencies. While the zone is constituted by three federal constituencies, the constituencies are made up of the local governments. Each of the constituency is made up of two local governments. So, the zone is not made up of local governments. It is rather made up of the federal constituencies. Therefore, the constituencies should precede the local governments in terms of micro-zoning. There is no reason why the federal constituencies should be skipped when they are recognized constitutional structures.

Therefore, it is only when the seat is zoned to the seemingly marginalized Enugu East/ Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency that the two local governments that constitute it can be given a consideration based on who has taken what.

At this constituency, Enugu East Local Government has taken a shut at the Senate for 8 years and has also represented the federal constituency at the House of Representatives on two occasions. The member currently representing the constituency at the House of Representatives is Hon. Cornelius Nnaji from Enugu East Local Government. Isi-Uzo too has represented the constituency on two occasions. By implication, Enugu East Local Government has an edge over Isi-Uzo, for having been to the senate. In consideration of equity, justice and fairplay, the governorship seat should be conceded to Isi-Uzo. By so doing, zoning and its attendant benefits of inclusivity, justice, equity and fairplay shall have been exhaustively applied in such a manner that it penetrates the innermost recesses of the zone.

I heard that Isi uzo people are part of Nsukka people, they are only part of Enugu east senatorial zone just for political balance

There's nothing like "Nsukka people", so what you heard is obviously borne out of ignorance. The different constituencies that make up Enugu State are presented in plain terms in this write-up, so why would your ears prefer to pick up misinformations, and why would your mouth parrot such misinformations immediately after reading through a vital piece as this?

Or didn't you read the write-up?