Power Rotation in Enugu State: Going Beyond Democracy
The organizational structure of rotation of power in Enugu State has over the years ensured a smooth transition of power, adequate representation of the masses, taking the minority into the same consideration according to the majority. It has gone beyond democracy to accommodate the people.
Democracy is seen as a system of government, in which the ultimate political authority is vested in the people, based on the majority rule, with the rights of the minority protected. The dictionary defines it as the ‘government by the people in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.’ However, in a case where the rights of the minority are merely being ‘protected’ and the same majority keeps having the opportunity to rule based on their population, then it could be seen that the most effective approach to representing everyone is through power rotation, and this is an unwritten rule in Enugu State government.
Rotation in government involves turn-taking in power, a system that ensures that in a particular state, country or community, every zone is represented periodically. It usually works in places divided into regions, preventing a particular region from being marginalised. In Enugu State which is divided into three senatorial zones: Enugu-North, Enugu-West and Enugu-East, this rotational method has been employed since its inception in 1991 and has maintained peaceful governance for two decades.
While Democracy, the system of government practised in Nigeria ensures majority rule and minority rights, it does not make provision for a minority rule as well, which from historical experience always leads to rebellious activities from the minority. Instances are properly drawn from Nigeria herself, where during the reign of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Niger Delta was given close attention, compensated for the pollution and other damage caused by oil spillage in their land and water. Comparing the Niger Delta at that time, to the subsequent years when they had no one to represent them gives the proper answer.
In Enugu State, before the governorship of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu-North while awaiting their turn in the power rotation felt neglected in the allocation of resources and started to clamour for Adada state, where they hoped to have their government and solve the problem being faced. However, as soon as they became represented in 2015, the difference became clear as it could be observed in the reconstruction of roads and other projects embarked on by the current governor.
The argument of meritocracy overpower rotation has been tackled so many times, with the point that rotation of power in government does away with the focus on who merits it, and advocates for regionalism and sheer sentimentalism. However, it is first of all important that the structure of the State as well that of the country are closely examined. Nigeria is a country made of different ethnic groups, just as Enugu State is made up of different senatorial zones. As Olu Fasan writes in Vanguard, power rotation is inevitable until Nigeria is restructured. This is because the political structure of the country entrenches a historical power imbalance in which one ethnic group dominates the other.
Had this rotation of power not been the unwritten norm in Enugu State since its inception, it would have been facing the same problem as well. Now, in Enugu State, we do not talk about a group or a zone dominating the other since everyone is equitably represented with time. The importance of this power rotation could be likened to the need for the installation of traffic lights for diverse roads which come together to meet at a point of intersection. These three different zones are made up of different people with various cultures and dialects, although united by one government. The need to place a turn-taking rule is very important, just as they need to prevent accidents from occurring is a dire need which traffic lights fulfil.
However, it is quite important to note that irrespective of power rotation being observed, it is laced with meritocracy as well, because the different zones are not represented by anyone who declares their intention, but produce individuals well-fitted for the job of serving the people. A tour to the last decade of Enugu State is proof of this, the physical beauty of the state speaking for itself. The governor who has sat in power in the past ten years, Barr. Sullivan Chime and Barr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has both proven that meritocracy is considered within the zone, that the people are properly represented by the right individuals whose major concern is to serve them.
The organisational structure of rotation of power in Enugu State has over the years ensured a smooth transition of power, adequate representation of the masses, taking the minority into the same consideration according to the majority. It has gone beyond democracy to accommodate the people.
written by Enema Oluchi
