Key political stakeholders in Owerri zone are divided over the 2019 governorship contest despite protestations from the zone that it is their turn to produce the next governor of Imo State.
Despite their claims, leaders of the zone are not on the same page towards actualizing the project. This is made worse with the divergent interests of stakeholders who are scattered in different political parties.
In the All Progressive Congress, APC, leaders of the party in the zone are rooting mainly for Senator Ifeanyi Araraume. Araraume is from Okigwe zone.
Three key leaders in the party from the zone Chief Gibson Njemanze (Oyiga), Chief C.Y Amako and other notable leaders are rooting for the senator.
One of the leaders who spoke to this newspaper say it does no matter who is being supported either from any of the three zones arguing that what is important is to back a solid candidate that has the nerve to unseat Governor Rochas Okorocha and stop him from foisting his successor as Governor in 2019.
“Owerri zone has not shown seriousness to take the governorship in 2019. It is beyond having many governorship aspirants in the race from Owerri zone. What is important is to have a solid governorship candidate that will oust Rochas. It does not matter the zone or even the political party he comes from” he said.
Of the three major political parties in the State, only the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has shown some commitment to back Owerri zone for the 2019 governorship contest.
At a recent meeting in Owerri, the Owerri zone chapter of the party said it is more than determined to have Owerri zone as governor of the state in 2019.