Orlu Zone Divide Over Owerri Zone 2015 Governorship Bid

There is sharp division among  political elites in Orlu Zone (Imo North Senatorial District) over the quest of Owerri Zone (Imo East) to produce the next governor of Imo State in 2015.

Two camps have emerged in the area as a result of the division, This Blog can authoritatively say.

One of the camps is in support of the agitation of Owerri zone, while another said to be fiercely loyal to the aspiration of  senator Hope Uzodinma, senator representing Orlu Zone, are backing the Senator to take join the Imo governorship race.

 The camp in support of Owerri Zone though subtly, is said to have the backing of former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa and former secretary to the Imo State Government, Nze IMO Umunna.

This group is said to have aligned with their political brothers from Owerri Zone, though a source pointed out that “certain unclear issues that will seal up the support is in the offing”

The source furtther said “Owerri Zone has a legitimate case, but it is something we have to sit and discuss extensively.  They have to put their house in order. There are over 15 governorship aspirants from Owerri Zone. So, they must do some soul searching before we align fully with their aspiration. But for now, they have our tacit support

Those opposed to the agitation of Owerri Zone contend that Zoning only exists in the mind of political stakeholders in the State as governorship aspirants from the three zones do come out to jostle for the governorship seat in every political dispensation since 1999.

“It is a case of battle for the strong and whoever is the strongest gets the prize. We are not opposed to Owerri Zone but this is a free for all contest without any constitutional inhibitions, why must we tell our sons not to contest for the governorship of the State?. On what basis or for which reasons” said a PDP chieftain in Orlu Zone

However, it was gathered that the intention of Senator Hope Uzodinma from Orlu to contest for the governorship seat has even polarized the political class in the zone which has led to political alignments and realignments of top political players in the area. Among those on the support roll of the senator is billionaire businessman, Tony Ezenna, who has declared interest to replace senator Uzodinma at the senate.

Last week, Owerri zone political stakeholders visited former governor Udenwa at his Amaifeke country home  soliciting for his support and that of  his Orlu Zone to back the agitation of Owerri Zone to produce the next governor of Imo State in 2015.

The visit led by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Board of Trustees member, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyannwu and 14 governorship aspirants of Owerri Zone extraction, reminded the former Governor that he was a product of zoning in 1999 when the PDP asked an Owerri Zone son, Chief Humphrey Anumudu, who won the party’s governorship primaries to step aside for him (Udenwa) from Orlu in conformity with the Imo Charter of Equity.

The Imo Charter of Equity is an unsigned, unbinding but sticking agreement adopted by the three zones in Imo State that guarantees rotation of the governorship seat of the State. 

 
Owerri Zone is yet to produce governor of Imo State since 1999 while Orlu Zone has held forte for 12 years and may increase if incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha secures a second term in 2014 Polls.