By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election in Enugu state, key political leaders in the state have asserted that the zoning of the plum position to Enugu East senatorial zone was irrevocable.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Old Anambra state Governor, Jim Nwobodo, a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, a former Enugu State governor, Chimaroke Nnamani and his successor, Sullivan Chime, affirmed that it is the turn of Enugu East Senaotrial Zone to produce the next governor in 2023.

The principle of zoning of key political offices has been sustained in the state since 1999.

Senator Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East Zone was the governor of the state from 1999 to 2007, followed by Sullivan Chime from Enugu west zone from 2007 to 2015, while the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from 2015 to 2023 is from Enugu North.

Senator Chimaroke Nnamani in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, commended the political leaders: Ugwuanyi, Nwobodo, Nwodo, Ken Nnamani and Chime for their independent positions, affirming the zoning principle, as well as the turn of Enugu East Zone to produce the next governor.

Chimaroke Nnamani reiterated that justice and fairness demanded that the zoning principle be respected by the political players in the state, stressing that “it has fostered peace and harmony while giving every zone a sense of belonging.”

He said: “After reviewing the principled stands of the respected elders and statesmen which included four former governors and a former Senate President, I am convinced more than ever before that Gov. Ugwuanyi and the political leaders in the state will be guided by keen sense of history and conscience in picking the next governor of the state from Enugu East Zone.”

Senator Nnamani described zoning as a major selling point of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state, reiterating that “it has ensured peace, balance and even development.”

He expressed hope that other political parties, including All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) would follow suit in upholding zoning and ceding their governorship tickets to Enugu East Zone.

The latest position of Enugu elders may have put paid to the governorship ambition of the former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu, from Enugu West Senatorial Zone.