A major milestone was achieved in the political annals of Imo State yesterday with the declaration by pan Orlu socio political group, Orluzurumee that it will not support any governorship aspirant from the zone in the 2019 governorship election
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The group which regulate the political heartbeat of Orlu zone deserve applause for making such declaration.
The resolution is commendable coming at a time political leaders in Imo State are at cross roads on which geo political zone should go for the coveted seat.
With this declaration, Leaders of Orluzurumee have shown political maturity and demonstrated unparallel sensitivity to the political dynamics of Imo State as it affects the next political dispensation.
Since the inception of democracy in the country in 1999, Owerri and Okigwe zones have been shortchanged in the political alchemy of the state particularly on the issue of Imo governorship. The zoning arrangement in the State which tend to rotate power among the three zones have been hugely disregarded leading to unpleasant political development as the race for the 2019 Imo Guber draws near.
Zoning of the governorship of the State was designed to douse the prevalent political cleavages among the three zones in the state. It is a recipe to moderate political tempers in choosing or electing governors of the State. Regrettably it has been flouted mainly by governorship contenders from Orlu zone thus giving the zone undue political advantage over Owerri and Okigwe zones.
The declaration by Orluzurumee not to support any Orlu zone governorship aspirant is aimed at redressing the political imbalance in the state considering the fact that the zone has occupied Government House, Owerri for 16 years by the time the incumbent Governor, Rochas Okorocha completes his tenure in 2019.
Okigwe zone have had a fair share of the pie governing for four years under Ikedi Ohakim from 2007-2011 while Owerri zone is the worst hit without producing any State Governor.
Therefore, now that leaders of Orlu zone has blacklisted any candidate from Orlu zone taking part in the 2019 governorship election, it is time for fence mending and collective resolve between Okigwe and Owerri zones to close ranks and produce a credible candidate that will be acceptable not to the zones but to the entire people of Imo State in 2019.
Indeed, a major leap has been achieved in restoring orderliness in the political system in Imo State where equity,fairplay and justice should reign supreme.