Ahead of the off cycle governorship election in Anambra State, Anambra Equity Movement (A.N.E.M), has advocated for a non Catholic from old Nnewi North to take over the baton of leadership in the state.
The group in a statement jointly signed by it’s convener and secretary general, Hon. Engr. TonyUche Chukwudi Ezekwelu and Engr. Aniebue Chibuzo, said this will ensure that all facets and classes of Anambrans are given sense of belonging irrespective of geographical origin, religious belief, profession, gender, education and other classifications.
The movement resolved that the Anambra Governorship by geopolitical premise should remain in South Senatorial Zone for the next four years.
The statement reads, “Anambra Equity Movement, (A.N.E.M) is a coalition of Socio-Political & Religious Pressure Groups, Civil Societies and Non-Governmental Organisations, which strongly believe and committed to bringing Justice, Equity and Fairness in distribution of elective and appointive political offices in Anambra State and Nigeriaat Large.
“This will ensure that all facets and classes of Anambrans are given Sense of belonging irrespective of Geographical Origin, Religious belief/Creed, profession/class, Gender, Education and other classifications, in order to save the state from potential political cum electoral violence that can emanate from obvious frustrations from sustained political domination and intimidation. The group is poised to assiduously employ every effective means of Mobilization and enlightenment to achieve our set goals making Anambra truly the light of the Nation.
“The Flag-off Ceremony of the Equity Campaign for Anambra Guber 2025 was held on Thursday 20th February 2025 was well attended by capacity participants from all wards in the 21 Local Government Areas of Anambra State. Deliberations were deep, frank, dispassionate and far reaching without fear or favour.
“ON ZONING BY GEOPOLITICAL EQUITY:
The movement resolved that the Anambra Governorship by geopolitical should remain in South Senatorial Zone for the next four years. In South Senatorial Zone should be zoned to Old Nnewi Division made up of Nnewi North, South and Ekwusigo LGAs; whereby Aguata/OAU have got over Six , 6 years of Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Prof. Charles Soludo and Ihiala held Governorship for Four, 4 years under H.E. Dr. Barr Chinwoke Mbadinuju; both divisions having held power for over Ten, 10 years to the exclusion of Old Nnewi Division in Anambra South. The concept of geopolitical zoning can not be over emphasized, among its importance include but not limited to political stability, political tension management, cost effectiveness etc.
“In the spirit of sportsmanship and brotherhood, we shall not fail in acknowledging the political party that have adopted in its earnest the zoning formula. As matter of fact, a certain political party in Anambra has made it a condition precedent to purchase of its nomination form. According to the dictate of the party, if an aspirant is not from Anambra South and particularly the old nnewi such aspirant will not be entitled to purchase the parties nomination form. Kudos! We hereby appeal to other major Political parties to follow same dictate.
“ZONING BY PROFESSIONAL/CLASS EWUITY: That Non-Practicing partisan politicians recruited from diaspora having held stranglehold on Anambra Governorship for Twenty, 20 uninterrupted years, scheming out real practicing grassroots politicians who work assiduously to keep the political parties and democracy alive in Anambra out of power, since H.E. Dr. Chris Ngige, OON, Onwa left office in 2006; It is just, fair and equitable that a well known, credible and capable candidate from the practicing political class should be zoned/elected 2025 Governor to give sense of belonging and life back to practicing politicians. This will make for sustainable political succession plan, mentorship and proper training (Iko Akpa Politics) for current and future leaders as is the case in Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia States and other states in West and Northern Nigeria.
“ZONONG BY RELIGIOUS EQUITY:
That Catholic Christians having dominated Governoship power for 23 uninterrupted years, it is just equitable and Fair that Next Governor should be zoned to Non-Catholics especially Anglican/PFN among other CAN blocks. We hereby passionately plead with all Catholics aspirants and to beg the Church hierarchy to join to plead with them to step aside for justice, equity and fairness sake. Accident of Birth and creed should not be taken as disability to deny competent people the fundamental rights to elective political positions. Christian brotherhood and charity should reign Supreme among Christians and other people of God in the state. Igbo Traditional Religious worshipers should also be brought into consideration in future zoning arrangements.
“The meeting by overwhelming majority resolved that for Justice, Equity and Fairness, the next Governor of Anambra come November 8th 2025, APGA having ruled for 20 years, PDP for Seven (7) years, Anambra should try another political party and best option for next Governorship by all considerations, All Progressives Congress, APC which is the ruling Party at the center or any other viable Party with strong Non Catholic candidate. All participants pledged to work assiduously to ensure the APC and other parties meet our criteria of bringing out candidate who has been a practicing Politician on ground from Anglican/PFN/among other CAN blocks from Old Nnewi Divisiom (Nnewi North, South and Ekwusigo) of Anambra South Senatorial Zone.
“We agreed to meet formally reach out the potential candidate(s) who meet all our zoning criteria to partnership/collaborate towards achieving desired victory come November 8th 2025. The candidate shall be formally unveiled in due course.
“Our Structure under the able leadership of Hon Sir TonyUche Chukwudi Ezekwelu, KSJI as the Convener/Chairman of the movement with Comrade Engr Anthony Aniebuo as General Secretary together with the Central Working Committee, LG EXCOS, Ward Excos are fully in place advocating and mobilizing massively towards achieving our set goals.
“We resolved to unleash massive media awareness/enlightenment and stakeholders advocacy to ensure that all major Political parties Guber Ticket inclusding APC, APGA, PDP, Labour, NRM, NNN
PP among others go to the best, competent, capable Non-Catholics candidate that can win the November 8th Guber.
“For 7 above, we resolved to formally write and pay advocacy visits to convince all Party leadership, Hierarchy of Catholic, Anglican, PFN and other CAN Bishops/GOs, Ndi Igwe, Town Unions, Youth Groups, Market leaders, Labour Unions, CSOs among others that the only way for Anambra Guber 2025 is for power to shift Nnewi Division from Catholics to other CAN Block especially Anglican/PFN for Justice, equity, fairness and Christian charity/brotherhood as the only way to ensure lasting peace, good governance and development.
“Our working documents and instruments has been adopted and put into action since Thursday 20th February 2025.
“We resolved to leave no stone unturned in achieving our set goal. Our adopted candidate who meets all these set criteria should personally assure the members and All Ndi Anambra that they will be fully supported and carried along before, during and after the Guber primaries and election proper and in government. The candidate must sign a pact/take a vow that he won’t discriminate against any denominations, groups or individuals when he gets to Governorship power come November 8th 2025 by God’s grace.”
