ROTATION: House Of Representatives Election & Idemili North's Case

The governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has repeatedly explained why he now champions rotation of political power, using Anambra State's governorship as an example. He cites a drastic reduction in confusion and conflict, as well as evenly spread development, as strong reasons all well-meaning citizens should support zoning and rotation of elective political offices.

Facts are sacred. The governors in Anambra since 1999, when the nation returned to democracy, have come from all three senatorial districts, and this trend has ensured even development in the state. Now, it is clear from Mr Governor’s assertion that he will hand over to Anambra Central. Zoning and rotation are now established practices in Anambra State and in Nigeria.

Rotation and zoning, sometimes used interchangeably, are clearly grounded in logic, which makes democracy flourish where it is applied, as they promote inclusivity and ensure that diverse voices are represented in the political process.

Democracy is government of the people, for the people, and by the people. Abraham Lincoln, a former president of the United States, offered and popularised this timeless definition. Democracy is a game of numbers as well as equity. Efforts to uphold democracy ensure that both majority and minority rights are included in decision-making by implementing policies that promote inclusivity and protect minority interests.

This submission is what confers the ultimate justification and legitimacy on the rotation and zoning of political power. The principle of rotation and zoning in a democracy has grown over time since the nation’s return to the current democratic dispensation, both at the centre of Nigeria and here in Anambra State.

The rotation and zoning of power between northern and southern Nigeria is a settled issue, and that is why attempts by self-serving groups to disrupt it have resulted in significant rancour and instability. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) largely lost presidential power due to its failure to adhere to the zoning and rotation principle.

It is now much the same in Anambra, as rotation and zoning have been adopted to ensure equity and justice in the state’s geopolitics. Rotation has ensured that all sections feel included, leading to even representation and development, which has benefited the state.

Rotation does not only apply to the governorship in Anambra State. It has permeated all other elective positions, often even down to councillorship.

In Idemili, with two local governments (Idemili North and Idemili South) making up a single federal constituency for election to the House of Representatives, it is also settled that the representative to the federal house has to rotate between the two LGs. And according to all indications, it’s the turn of Idemili North to represent the two LGs in 2027. According to available statistics, Idemili South has represented Idemili approximately two-thirds of the time.

Yet, some dark forces are trying to truncate this beautiful, inclusive principle of rotation between Idemili North and South, which has ensured fair representation and balance in the political landscape of the region. This treatise reminds us that abandoning the rotation principle between Idemili North and South would harm both LGs.

For starters, Idemili North is significantly more populous than Idemili South and can continuously produce a representative for the House of Representatives if its members feel aggrieved or challenged. But there is no need to reach that point, as the convention and agreement on rotation between Idemili North and South are already in place.

To clarify, the distribution of representation at the House of Reps between Idemili North and Idemili South since 1999, when the nation returned to democratic rule, is as follows:

1999-2003 - Jerry Ugokwe - Idemili South

- 2003-2006 – Jerry Ugokwe-Idemili, South

- 2006-2007 – Dr C.C. Okeke – Idemili North

- 2007-2011 – Odedo-Nnobi – Idemili South

- 2011-2015 – Odedo-Nnobi – Idemili South

- 2015-2019--Obinna Chidoka- Idemili North

- 2019-2023--Obinna Chidoka Idemili North

- 2023-2027- Uche Annie Okonkwo-Idemili South

- Total years for Idemili North = 9 years

- Total years for Idemili South = 19 years

- The total is 28 years.

The statistical distribution clearly shows that Idemili South has received a disproportionate amount of representation, making rotation a necessary step. Opponents of rotation between the two LGs in the House of Reps prioritise personal gain or maintaining the status quo over equity.

We extend this advice to other parts of the state as we pass it down to stakeholders in Idemili. Everywhere, stakeholders should uphold the essence of rotation to promote fairness and evenly spread development, thereby minimising the potential for confusion and conflict in their areas. Those who have not yet implemented zoning should do so for valid reasons.

As Governor Soludo emphasises, all parts of Anambra State need to commit to sustaining the principle of rotation and zoning. They must support the most qualified candidates from their party; it is their right and their turn to produce candidates for both primaries and the election.

Particularly for Idemili North, there is no doubt that it is now their turn to produce the representative for the Idemili North and Idemili South Federal Constituency in the next National Assembly.

The few working against the sustenance of rotation and zoning between the two local governments are only being mischievous and trying to introduce discord that ultimately will work against peace and fair representation.

Idemili has always been at the forefront of exemplary conduct in Anambra State. We now call for that exemplarity again in the upcoming primary and general elections.

Idemili’s catalogue of firsts is in plain sight, and sustaining the principle of rotation and zoning can only add to that enviable reputation.

Ifeanyi Metuh is an aspirant for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency.