Authors of the political book, “Zoning of Governorship Position in Enugu State: Evolution, Practice and Convention (1999–2023),” on Friday presented a copy of the publication to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization in Enugu State, Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, as conversations around political equity and power rotation in the state continue to gain attention.
The delegation, led by co-author Uchenna Cyril Anioke, alongside Ambrose Igboke, Clinton Umeh and Chikezie Obasi, presented the book to the commissioner at his office in Enugu on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the authors, Dr. Anioke said the publication became necessary following what he described as the “rancorous, toxic and extensive power struggles” that characterised the 2023 governorship election in Enugu State.
“After the rancorous, toxic and extensive power struggles of the 2023 governorship election, with its attendant misinformation and exaggerated narratives, we, the authors, felt compelled, in good conscience, to embark on extensive research and broad direct interviews to document all the sides to the zoning discourse,” he said.
According to him, the authors undertook detailed archival research and extensive interviews to provide a factual and objective account of the evolution of zoning in Enugu politics.
“At the beginning of the fact-finding journey, we embarked on a search of empirical evidence on the intricate issue of zoning of governorship position in Enugu State.
“With a deep sense of history, we dug deep into the archives and conducted extensive interviews to present an objective, factual, and insightful account that students of political science, policymakers, and the general public will find enormously useful,” Anioke stated.
He explained that the book was designed not merely as a political memoir but as a historical documentation of the principles of fairness, inclusion, and mutual understanding that have shaped governance in Enugu State since the return of democracy in 1999.
“Our burning motivation was not just to put together another political memoir but an uncommon desire to manifestly capture the spirit of unity, fairness, and mutual understanding that has defined Enugu State’s politics for over twenty years and counting,” he said.
Anioke added that political analysts and commentators had already described the publication as the “Magna Carta” of Enugu State politics in the Fourth Republic.
The authors further argued that the governorship zoning arrangement had evolved from a gentleman’s agreement into an unwritten political convention that has helped sustain peace and stability in the state.
“Without doubt, the return of democracy in 1999 has witnessed a zoning arrangement of the governorship position in Enugu State, and its transition from a mere gentleman’s agreement into an unwritten convention.
“It has, since then, remained a powerful instrument of equity, ensuring that power rotates harmoniously among the three senatorial districts of Enugu East, Enugu West, and Enugu North,” he added.
Responding, Commissioner Ubru praised the authors for documenting the political history of the state, describing the work as significant to the quest for equity and fairness in Enugu politics.
“For us in Enugu North Senatorial Zone, this book solves a lot of problems for us as it represents the yearning for an equitable society,” he said.
The commissioner recalled his role in advocating zoning when it was the turn of Enugu North Senatorial District to produce the governor in 2015.
“I was part of those who were talking about the zoning thing when it was the turn of Enugu North to produce the governor in 2015,” he stated.
He also noted that he defended the same principle when power shifted to Enugu East Senatorial District ahead of the 2023 governorship election.
“Similarly, when it was the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District to produce the governor, I was one of those that rose to rebuke some voices that tried to distort the equitable distribution we’ve been enjoying in the state,” Ubru said.
The commissioner expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the zoning arrangement, saying the emergence of Governor Peter Mbah had brought visible transformation to the state.
“I’m happy that this position we took three years ago produced a governor we’re all proud of today. The governor came in with a vigour which has transformed the state as we’re seeing today,” he said.
He added that the growing support for Governor Mbah in Enugu North Senatorial District reflected public appreciation for the administration’s developmental projects.
“The organic rally for the governor in Enugu North District is a further demonstration of the love the people have for the governor and his transformative projects,” Ubru added.
He commended the authors for what he described as their commitment to preserving the political history of Enugu State for future generations.
