2015: Pro Owerri Zone Groups Demand Reduction of Governorship Aspirants

IWUANYANWU

There is an ongoing clamour for Owerri Zone to reduce the number of governorship aspirants from the area.

This was part of the resolution of a summit jointly organized by Owerri Peoples Assembly and Owerri Peoples Front, OPF held in Owerri, Imo State capital.


In a communique signed by Hon Ebere Chukwuemeka (ABJ) , Chief Ben Osuagwu and Hon Asitokwam Innocent Ahamefula and made available to this blog, the summit frowned at the increasing number of aspirants eying Douglas House, Owerri in 2015.

While it backed the call for qualified persons from the zone to vie for the coveted seat, it also recommended a “cut down on number of aspirants in Owerri Zone aspiring for the governorship seat through various political parties”

It also kicked against the free for All Fight by the three zones in the State, urging aspirants to reject any political party that neglects Zoning, while advising political parties to ensure level playing ground for all aspirants to avoid rancor and acrimony.

It decried the marginalization of Owerri Zone saying “ Okigwe zone have ruled for eight years under Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe and Chief (Dr) Ikedi Ohakim, while Orlu Zone under Dr. Achike Udenwa 8 years, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha completing his 4 years term will score the zone 12 good years.

 It continued “Owerri Zone had only 18 months under Chief Evan Enwerem. Therefore Owerri Zone must be given the chance in 2015. Equity calls for clean hands”

It recalled that Owerri Zone won the governorship primaries of the PDP in 1999 but sacrificed it to Orlu under the charter of equity.

 The Communique reads “That Owerri Zone accepts the charter of equity by the people of Imo State since 1999 which was re- affirmed in 2013 during the Imo political summit held at All Seasons Hotel, Owerri and adopted a zoning arrangement for the governorship of Imo State

“That this zoning arrangement has been observed and respected since the creation of Imo State. Now that it is the turn of Owerri Zone to produce the governor in 2015, Orlu and Okigwe zone must respect the arrangement by encouraging and supporting Owerri Zone

“That Our Apex Leader, Chief Engr E.C Iwuanyanwu( Aha eji Agamba ndi Igbo) and Chief I.D Nwoga including other stakeholders in Owerri Zone had honoured/respected  the zoning order by irrefutably allowing Chief Achike Udenwa and Chief Ikedi Ohakim from Orlu and Okigwe Zone respectively to take their turn. It is therefore strictly necessary that leaders and stakeholders in Orlu and Okigwe zone should as a matter of equity; oneness, brotherhood and love allow and support Owerri Zone to produce the governor come 2015

 It stated that the Nigerian Constitution recognize zoning as a Federal Character, stressing that “those who are advocating for the disruption of Imo Charter of Equity are willing or unwillingly playing out a script written and directed by those seeking to destabilize the peace and political harmony of Imo State.