As part of its strategy to reclaim Anambra State in the 2025 governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Forum has reiterated the importance of adhering to the agreed-upon zoning arrangement.
The forum, chaired by Chief Innocent Obi, declared that any attempts to disrupt the zoning agreement would be met with strong opposition.
During a meeting held in Awka on Wednesday, Chief Obi stated that the forum, comprising elders from all 21 Local Government Areas of the state, is actively mobilizing grassroots support in preparation for the election.
He also stressed the significance of maintaining the zoning arrangement, particularly ensuring that the governorship position remains with Anambra South.
His words: “We’re there, we’re working and we have a cordial relationship with the state executive of the party.
“Whatever you do, you have to face the court of public opinion. There was an agreement to the effect that this is the way things should be going in Anambra state.
“In Imo state all the political parties gathered together for what they, I think, called equity charter. The idea is if you take, I take. If you take all, you know what it means.
“For me, an agreement is an agreement whether written or not. There’s a system already at work in Anambra state. Anybody who denies that is not telling the truth. As elders, we should say it the way it is.
“An arrangement is on the ground. During the 2022 election, the party that pretended that zoning was nonsense suffered for it. They suffered because someone who contested under their platform did not come from where that post should go.
“Whatever decision our party comes up with, the elders must go with them because we’re under them.
“There’s an arrangement on the ground, if the party touches it, there’s nothing the elders can do. But our prayer is that the party will not tamper with the arrangements on the grounds. We believe that anybody who has taken his turn should shift.
“The elders will be pleased if the candidate comes from the South. If you ask me, the South has done four years and the South has four years extra.”
Another forum member, Mr. Okey Chukwuogo, explained that the zoning arrangement was initiated by former Governor Peter Obi and endorsed by various stakeholders, including town unions and traditional rulers.
“When these bodies endorsed it, can anyone claim that Anambra is not zoned? There is indeed zoning, but power must be actively pursued,” he added.
The APC Elders Forum assured that it remained steadfast in ensuring that the zoning arrangement is honoured, adding that it is commited to fair and equitable political processes in Anambra State.
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