By Frank Nwaete
Sir Fidel Anujuo, a foremost entrepreneur, political strategist, licensed mediator, and negotiator from Ideato-South LGA in Imo State, has asserted that "zoning" is not only primordial and undemocratic but also a catalyst for mediocrity in Nigerian politics.
In a recent discussion regarding the much-debated "Imo Charter of Equity," Anujuo emphasized that irredentism and parochial considerations have long plagued Nigerian politics and are fundamental contributors to the nation’s underdevelopment. He argued that these factors should never take precedence over meritocracy, credibility, and capacity in Imo State politics.
Anujuo, a former chairman of the Imo Water Corporation and affectionately known as "OBA" by friends and associates, recently obtained a world-class professional license in mediation and negotiation from the Institute of Global Peace and Conflict Management. He pointed out that since the inception of the current republic, the contest for governorship elections in Imo State has never been the exclusive preserve of any particular zone.
He noted that gubernatorial elections in Imo State—specifically in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023—have consistently been contested by candidates from all zones, rather than being limited by any zoning exclusion. Anujuo concluded that a focus on merit and capability is essential for the progress of Imo State and Nigeria as a whole.
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