How Power Rotation has kept Enugu State safe

This piece summaries the last quarter theme highlighting what it means for the people of Enugu state and how it has contributed to a lasting peace and developmental strides.

The opening argument came from the article “Need to Respect Power Rotation in Enugu State by Vera Igwilo” in it she argues that the administration of Dr. Chimaroke Ogbonnaya Nnamani of Enugu-east (Nkanu’s portion) Senatorial District, who served from 1999 to 2007, was the first to distribute power in Enugu State. Barr. Sullivan Iheanacho Chime of Enugu-west (Udi’s part) Senatorial District, who served from 2007 to 2015, was the next in line. The current government of Enugu-north (Nsukka’s portion) Senatorial District Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, whose term began in 2015 and is set to conclude in 2023. Since 1999, indigenous peoples in the three senatorial districts have enjoyed a fair amount of representation in the office. Not only were people appointed, but zones were also given power and authority.

As a result, this approach has shown to be beneficial to both the party (PDP) and the entire state of Enugu in ensuring an enabling atmosphere for the state’s development goals. It is also obvious that this structure does not begin and end at the federal and state levels. This technique, however informal, was effective in the PDP’s bid for governor of Enugu State; observations also show that the system’s effectiveness prompted other political parties in the state to emulate it.
Chinweokwu Ukwueze in his article Nigeria at 61: How Rotation of Power is ensuring Enugu’s consistent developmental strides writes that one of the ways Enugu state has been able to maintain its phenomenal growth and development is by keeping peace in the state, which experts think is the most important condition for any state to have continual growth and development. “There can be no progress of any kind in an atmosphere that is bereft of peace or plagued by terrible outbreaks of violence.” The founding fathers discussed and agreed to maintain the rotation of authority among the state’s component divisions or zones, as it was done in the former Anambra State, to preserve peace and equality. Of course, this was done not simply to maintain equity, but also to assure the state’s continued peace and progress. Some parts of the population might feel marginalized in other states. Enugu State, on the other hand, is a different story.

One of the reasons why the Enugu State Governance has relied on rotational politics as a form of government since 1999 is to ensure that development reaches all of the state’s zones. As a result of Nigerian politics, politicians prefer to work more for their constituents, which is seen in Enugu State as well. Any governor elected works more in his district or in areas with which he is more familiar. As a result, development and growth are distributed throughout the state, and the state develops uniformly.
The last feature titled Power Rotation in Enugu State: Going Beyond Democracy by Enema Oluchi examines how The organizational framework of power rotation in Enugu State has enabled a seamless transition of power, proper representation of the masses, and taking the minority into account in the same way as the majority over the years. It has gone beyond democracy to meet the needs of the people.

The meritocracy vs. rotation debate has been debated several times, with the notion that rotating power in government removes the focus on who deserves it and promotes regionalism and sentimentalism.

However, it is critical to study the State’s as well as the country’s structure first. Nigeria is made up of several ethnic groupings, just like Enugu State is made up of various senatorial zones. Power rotation is unavoidable until Nigeria is reorganized, argues Olu Fasan in Vanguard. This is due to the country’s governmental system, which perpetuates a historic power imbalance in which one ethnic group dominates the other.
Enugu State would have faced the same dilemma if this rotation of power had not been the unwritten standard from its creation. In Enugu State, the people no longer talk about one group or zone dominating another since everyone is given equal attention. The significance of this power rotation may be compared to the requirement for traffic lights to be installed at intersections where many roads join together. These three distinct zones are populated by individuals of varied cultures and dialects who are unified by a single government.
The necessity for a turn-taking regulation is critical, as is the requirement to prevent accidents, which is a critical need that traffic lights provide.