Edo Guber: Why zoning must be jettisoned

As Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tenure comes to an end November next year, the political interplay on who succeeds him is gradually gathering momentum.
Obaseki, who hails from Edo South Senatorial District, succeeded Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North as governor.

Since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy after a series of military rule, the democratic process depended on a rotational leadership arrangement, where individuals vying for executive positions at both state and federal levels, are selected through zoning.
The rotational process is usually midwifed by the political parties.
Since Oshiomhole ruled for two terms between 2008-2016 and Obaseki from 2016 to 2024 when his tenure ends, there are indications that the next governor based on equality should come from Edo Central Senatorial District of the state.
Pundits believe while equality on paper is fair in any form of government, it is hardly so in practice.

Over the past few years, the dynamics of Nigeria’s political scene may have taken a new twist.
This is evident in the prelude to the 2023 general election where aspirants from different parts of the country participated in the parties’ primaries.
Despite the fact that the outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari, is a northerner who had governed the country for eight years, there were fellow candidates from his region who participated in the exercise.
The trend was also obvious in different states where candidates from the same zone as the incumbent went on to signify interest and ultimately contested such elections.
This trend may be the paradigm shift needed to reverse the age long turn-by-turn practice which has left out smaller areas from having a level-playing ground in the political process.

“It is therefore noble to henceforth move away from the zoning system of electing an executive (in this case a governor) and stick with what works for the people irrespective of tribe or religion.
“Everybody must be given an opportunity to vote and be voted for instead of restricting the process to time and chance.
“Politics should be about giving a level playing field for everyone to participate based on their capabilities, competence and commitment to making the lives of the people better and not a function of where they from.

Bringing it back to Edo State, the race for the 2024 governorship election which is in its formative process is already taking shape with top politicians gearing up for the top job.
“And with the caliber of likely aspirants, it seems the process is going to take the shape and likeliness of the primaries conducted by the various political parties in 2023,” a political pundit noted.
By their pronouncements and perhaps body language, some of the top contenders include Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Lucky Imasuen, Prince Clem Agba, Hon. EJ Agbonayinma, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Col. David Imuse, among others.
From the list so far, these aspirants cut across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Again, 2024 is another opportunity to get things right by choosing a leader that has the interest of citizens at heart instead of promoting sectionalism, stakeholders believe. 
While noting that all the aspirants have a chance, one person will eventually emerge at the end of the day.
One of those seemingly “eyeing” the coveted position is former deputy governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen.
Apart from his experience as deputy governor from May 29, 2007 to November 12, 2008, Imasuen played a very sensitive role in his capacity as the Edo State Director of Campaign for the All Progressives Congress in the Presidential Election of President Bola Tinubu.
“This point is instructive because for a ruling party to bestow that responsibility on Imasuen goes to show that the APC National Working Committee and the then candidate (now President Bola Tinubu) had immense confidence on his ability to deliver on his mandate.
“It also shows that for someone to be picked to lead other top political heavyweights on such an onerous task meant that he had not just negotiation skills but had what it takes to produce results.
“Like we have mentioned in one of the preceding paragraphs, a passionate and compassionate man is what the state needs as next governor of Edo instead of trivializing the process solely to zoning,” his close ally noted
Everybody should be given equal opportunity to aspire because election is not just about zoning but a function of numbers, capacity, performance and ability to carry every single resident in the state along.