It has continued to be an issue that is always dominating public discourse within and outside the State.
Recently, the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha said zoning is dead in Imo State. His postulation is based on the fact that zoning does not offer the State the best of leaders.
Another school of thought disagree with him and contend strongly that zoning is an indispensable factor that should be retained at all times and be used as a guide in choosing and electing public office holders particularly in a State like Imo where there are three geo political zones with unique and diverse political peculiarities.
Many tend to favour this argument because even before the inception of the Okorocha administration in 2011,there was a mutual but an unsigned agreement acquiesced by majority of the Imo electorate that power should rotate among the three geo political zones to encourage political harmony and cohesion.
Directly or indirectly, Okorocha was elected governor of Imo State on the basis of zoning. Even the popular support he got from the people of the State he rode to power in 2011 cut across the three geo political zones in the State.
Power shifted from Imo North Senatorial zone (Okigwe) when Ikedi Ohakim from the zone was rejected at the 2011 governorship polls in preference for Okorocha who is from Imo West Senatorial District (Orlu Zone).
If zoning issue was not a factor in the politics of the State then, the people of Imo State would have preferred to vote for another candidate from Ohakim’s Okigwe zone to replace him as governor.
But this was not the case despite the fact that another man from (Imo West) Orlu Zone in the person of Achike Udenwa had governed Imo State for eight years.
Since the advent of democracy in 1999, one of the zones in the State has not been unable to produce the State governor. That zone is Owerri Zone (Imo East). Justice, fairness and equity demand that other zones should give Owerri zone a chance to elect the governor of the State in 2019.
Those who argue that the issue of zoning is outdated in our political system are missing the point. Even if it breeds mediocrity as those who oppose it want us to believe now, it certainly suits the political configuration of our dear Imo State. And it has not failed the political system of the State.
The State cannot afford to sideline a particular zone simply because other zones have climbed the ladder of power in the State and now wants to discard it to serve their political interests for 2019.
Arguably, the issue of zoning might not have a place in the dictionary of modern democracy but it cannot be overruled in a State that stands a tripod.
If Imo North and Imo West have tasted the seat of power in the State with the latter enjoying an unprecedented 16 years at the helm of leadership of the State by the time the incumbent completes his tenure in 2019, does equity, fairplay and justice not demand Imo East (Owerri Zone) be allowed to have a feel of the seat of power?
The gospel of unity in a system that promotes political discrimination and relegation cannot guarantee mutual political harmony in a diverse and pluralistic state such as Imo. This is one indispensable fact anti zoning elements should not forget.
BY JUSTIN EKWEBELEM
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