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Friday, March 29, 2024

Opinion: Understanding The Politics Of Zoning In Rivers State

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by Saatah Nubari

There is the insinuation, that the politics of zoning is only a prerogative meant for the federal level of government. This argument is wrong and it will only be logical to debunk these insinuations and state the facts as clearly as possible for everyone to see and understand. Zoning, as complex and intricate as it is, can be found in arguably every strata of leadership in Nigeria, and pretending or trying to pretend that it doesn’t exist isn’t a panacea for it.

The issue of zoning in Rivers State has come a long way. Today, we are being faced with two zoning arrangements (Upland/Riverine dichotomy and that of Senatorial districts.). There are so many people almost equally divided on both sides of these arrangements. It should be noted that these so called arrangements are most often than not, twisted and used, just to favour ones ethnic group in the political scheming in Rivers State. That is why it is possible to see an individual canvass for the use of Senatorial districts as the panacea for zoning, but that individual will most likely than not, change his stance when and if he or she figures out the arrangement will not favour his or her ethnic group.

Don’t ask me which of the above arrangements I prefer, or where I stand on zoning, because if I put into consideration the Law of excluded middle, the probability of me being against zoning will be zero. I would love to belong to the school of thought that the best candidate should be considered irrespective of his or her ethnic group, but it is far deeper and more complex than that. Before you say the best man should win, also know that the “best man” can still be subject to zoning.

Rivers State has had a number of indigenous governors before transition to civilian rule, and in as much as they won’t be a part of this study on the politics of zoning in Rivers State, it will be right to name them. First was Alfred Diete-Spiff who governed from May 1967 to July 1975. Then there was Melford Obiene Okilo who governed from October 1969 to December 1983. Then came Rufus Ada-George whose stint as governor was quite short, he governed from January 1992 to December 1993. I’ll take it that you have known the indigenous governors Rivers State has had and we can now move on to understanding the two alleged zoning arrangements.

The Riverine comprises of: the Kalabaris, Okirikans, Ibanis, Andonis and some other groups, while the Upland comprises of: the Ikwerres, Ogonis, Ekpeyes, Oyigbos, Etches and the Ogbas. Dr Peter Odili who hails from Ndoni which according to this arrangement, falls into the Upland area, ran for governor under stiff competition from a former SSG in the person of Chief Ebenezer Isokariari who hails from Kalabari. Dr. Odili won and the rest is history. In 2007, Sir Celestine Omehia, an Ikwerre, which according to this arrangement still belongs to the Upland area, was elected without uproar from other ethnic groups. Although his election was upturned and his cousin Rotimi Amaechi was declared winner, it still remained within the Ikwerre ethnic nationality. Based on this argument, the upland has held sway for more than 15 years now, which looks rather unfair to the Riverine. This happens to be the argument of the Kalabaris who fall under the Riverine—don’t be quick to say “I said it!”

Next up is the argument that the Senatorial district should be used—this argument carries more weight and seems less flawed to me when compared to the Upland/Riverine dichotomy being canvassed. Rivers State has 3 senatorial districts; Rivers West senatorial district, Rivers East senatorial district and Rivers South-East senatorial district. Rivers West senatorial district comprises of: Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Abua/Odual, Degema, Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Bonny. Rivers East senatorial district comprises of: Port-Harcourt, Ikwerre, Okirika, Ogu/Bolo, Obio-Akpor, Etche, Omuma and Emouha. Rivers South-East senatorial district comprises of Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Oyigbo, Tai, Eleme, Gokana and Khana. According to proponents of this arrangement, the Rivers West senatorial district has produced a governor in Dr. Peter Odili who hails from Ndoni. He governed Rivers State from 1999 to 2007.

It should be noted that during the governorship elections of 1999, Dr. Odili faced stiff competition from Chief Ebenezer Isokariari of the APP, he hails from Kalabari which also falls under the same senatorial district as Dr. Peter Odili. During this election, there was no candidate from other senatorial districts, as it was seen as the prerogative of Rivers West senatorial district. Giving weight to this argument is the fact that both Odili and Isokariari picked their running mates from a senatorial district different from theirs. Dr. Peter Odili picked Sir Gabriel Toby who hails from Opobo in Rivers South-East Senatorial district as his running mate, while Chief Ebenezer Isokariari picked Sir Clement Menegbo an indigene of Ogoni in Rivers South-East senatorial district. The fact that Chief Ebenezer and the Kalabaris lost is now history and seems to be forgotten. With this argument, the Rivers South-East senatorial district seems short-changed since they are yet to produce a governor, and hence the clamour for a chance to produce the governor in 2015.

In 2007, after winning his court case, Rotimi Amaechi replaced Sir Celestine Omehia as governor. Both Sir Omehia and Rotimi Amaechi are cousins from Ikwerre which happens to belong to the Rivers East senatorial district. During the election that brought about Amaechi, there was visible competition from Prince Tonye Princewill, a crowned Prince of Kalabari. In his re-election attempt in 2011, Rotimi Amaechi had new rivals, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and Sir Celestine Omehia who both belong to the same senatorial district as Rotimi Amaechi. That they both lost to Rotimi Amaechi is also history and shouldn’t be forgotten.

As the 2015 general elections draw near, there will be different calculations and theories put forward by both sides of the divide concerning who has the RIGHT to rule Rivers State. I had this argument with someone and he said I was dwelling more on the “how it has been” instead of “how it should be”. As right as he is, it would be wrong to jump into “how it should be” without first of all solving the problem of “how it has been” and the grievances that has arisen from such.

Zoning in River State politics is complex, so before someone says the “best man” should be given the job irrespective of his tribe, it is advisable for that person to weigh the complexity of this policy in both fairness and logic.

In as much as I seem to be pro-zoning which is somewhat correct, I’ll definitely vote for anybody who is honest enough and has the zeal to lead Rivers State. Chop make I chop has never actually brought the required development that we need, and so does na my brother. So I guess it’s let the best candidate win?

Saatah Nubari tweets from @Saatah.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

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