Despite protestations and the firm resolve of Owerri geo political zone to produce the next governor of Imo State, political leaders in Orlu Zone (Imo West) have resolved to take a shot at the governorship contest in Imo in 2019.
Since the inception of democracy in Nigeria in 1999,Orlu Zone would have occupied the State Government House for 16 years by the time Governor Okorocha completes his tenure in 2019, followed by Okigwe zone which has done 8 years. Owerri Zone is yet to produce the state governor.
At the controversial Orlu political summit held at Nkwerre Country Club, leaders of the zone said they will march on with their quest despite the opposition it is getting.
Convener of the summit, Elvis Agukwe said , Nze Agukwe advised Orlu zone leaders not to be intimidated out of all elective positions, insisting that it is the democratic right of any responsible citizen seeking elective position to do so without fear or favour.
In his speech, the keynote Speaker, Senator Osita Izunaso (who was represented by Hon. Charles Uba) called on Orlu sons and daughters to see leadership as the key to the economic and political development of
the people. He thereafter called on Orlu sons and daughters to rally round leadership to achieve better development.
In his goodwill message, the Senator representing Orlu zone at theNational Assembly, Senator Hope Uzodinma called on the people of the zone to recover lost political grounds which arose out of the political inaction and docility of the elites in particular and the people in general. He urged leaders of the zone to use the platform of the summit to find solutions that will take Orlu Zone to the promise land.
Also in his goodwill message, the member Representing Nkwerre, Nwangele, Isu and Njaba Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Chudi Jones Onyeriri called for the total removal (eradication) of Poverty, massive infrastructural development, provision of quality education driven by information in Orlu zone in particular and Imo State in general.
In his goodwill message, the member representing Ohaji, Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah called on the people of Orlu zone to come together to chart a common political front to advance, promote and protect their economic and socio-political interests as the 2019 General Elections approach.
The acceptance of the Orlu Political summit was not limited to sons and daughters of Orlu zone; political leaders from outside the zone and from different political parties also supported the summit.
Sir Jude Ejiogu, a former Secretary to the Government of Imo State in his goodwill message called on the people of Orlu zone to sustain the tempo of achievement through hard
work, diligence and commitment, in order to ensure that the unity of Imo State was not truncated.
Mr. Okey Ezeh called on Orlu people to take the right decision in moving the zone and the state forward. Many other political and business leaders from across the state also sent in their goodwill messages.
Guest speakers at the summit included Chief Gibson Chigbu, Mr.Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu and the Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government, Hon. Uche Nwosu.
While Chief Gibson Chigbu spoke on variety of practical and specific issues relating to good and effective representation of Ndi Orlu both locally and nationally, he also reflected on broader issues of how to bring
sustainable and world class transformation of the zone and its people.
Mr. Chyna Iwuanyanwu anchored his Speech on Empowerment of Orlu Youths with leadership responsibilities.
The Chief of Staff, Hon. Uche Nwosu who represented the state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha in his speech defined leadership as service to the people. He opined that for the service to be effective and efficient, business, religious, traditional and political leaders should put their differences aside, come on one page and support leadership at the centre.
Nwosu described Orlu Zone as the fulcrum of political leadership in Imo State with ‘’un-harvested’’ potentials for more greatness.
He called on all and sundry to see the summit as a Clarion call for a rebirth that would bring further progress, development, political liberation and empowerment to the people of Orlu Zone in particular and Imo State in general.
Uche Nwosu also praised the efforts of Orlu zone icons for their socio-economic, sports, entaintainment and political emancipation and growth of the State, South East and the country at large. He mentioned such names as Chief John Anyaehie, Chief Uju Nkwerre, Chief Francis Ihekwoaba, Igwe Patrick Acholonu, Chief Akwaiwu, Chief K. O. Mbadiwe, Senator Elijah Emezie, Dr. Douglas Acholonu, Chief Achike Udenwa, Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe, Mr. Sam Okwaraji, Emily Nwanyi-na-Akpa-ego, Chief Felix Idiga, Chief Tony Ezenna, Owelle Rochas Okorocha etc as those that had, have and still continued to contribute to the socio-economic and political growth of
the nation.
The Chief of Staff also thanked our present representatives at theNational and State Assemblies for their efforts to reposition the zone, state and the country in general. He therefore called on the good people of Orlu zone to continue to support them so that more dividends of democracy would manifest in the zone. However, Hon. Uche Nwosu regretted that despite the modest contributions of sons and daughters of the zone to the growth and development of the country, there are no strategic commensurate federal presence in the zone. He therefore called on the people of Orlu Zone to continue to do their best in all spheres of life, never to be discouraged or intimidated
until the zone and Imo state gets to the Promised Land.
On the issue of Imo Governorship come 2019, Hon. Nwosu reasoned that Imo State does not belong to Orlu Zone alone, and that Owerri and Okigwe zones are also partners in the Imo Project, but maintained that Orlu zone with its 12 local government areas out of the 27 LGA’s in the State, would play a determinant role in 2019 Imo Governorship
race.