Owerri Zone Governorship Bid Runs Into Hitch, As Orlu Zone PDP Insist On 2015 Guber

UZODINMA

The ambition of Owerri geo political Zone (Imo East Senatorial district) to produce the next governor of Imo State in 2015 may have run into hitch following clearer indications that Orlu Zone chapter of the PDP (Imo North Senatorial District) are poised to contest the Imo Governorship election .

This blog gathered that stakeholders of the zone met recently where they denounced zoning or rotation of the office of the Governor of the State and maintained that the zone has the right to contest the governorship election.


Among those said to be present at the meeting mainly of the PDP stock include business mogul Chief Tony Ezenna (Orange Drugs), Senator Hope Uzodinma, Federal and State lawmakers and other powerful and influential politicians in the area.

Most of them contended that zoning has never been applicable in the State since all the zones produced governorship aspirants in every political dispensation from various political platforms.

In recent times, Owerri zone has insisted that it is their turn to produce the next governor of the State having produced Evan Enwerem (now of blessed memory) as governor for a meager 22 months between 1992-1993 when Nigeria the military was at the helm at the centre while civilan governors were in charge of the States.

Since the return of full blown democracy in 1999, Owerri Zone has not produced the State Governor.

Orlu and Okigwe zones have collectively produced the governor of the State at one time or the other  for a period spanning more than 25 years with Orlu having the higher number of years.on the saddle.

The incumbent Governor, Rochas Okorocha is from Orlu Zone.

The Imo Charter of Equity, an unsigned but mutual agreement binding the rotation of political power among the three zones in the States have been serially violated, thus strengthening the quest of Owerri zone to put up a fierce contest for the governorship position in 2015.

This has led to fierce increase in the number of governorship aspirants from the area. Among the top contenders include the Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, President Pan Africa Parliament and Federal lawmaker, Hon Bethel Amadi, Senator Chris Anyanwu, International taxation expert, Ken Ojiri, former Justice Commissioner and Attorney General of Imo State, Barr. Ken Njemanze (SAN) among others.
 
 However, Orlu Zone is also marching on with its determination to produce the next governor of the State in 2015.

 Among those from Orlu Zone eying the Imo Guber contest in 2015 are Senator Hope Uzodinma whose aspiration has rankled the political class in the State and caused a stir within the ranks of  the opposition PDP in Imo State