The political landscape of Imo State is ablaze with controversy as the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA) faces fierce opposition from the Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition (OZAC) over the 2027 guber polls.
OZAC on Friday launched a scathing rebuke against OPOCA, accusing the organization of suffering from political hallucination and attempting to obstruct the legitimate governorship aspirations of Owerri Zone.
OPOCA, led by its President, Rex Anunobi, had at a news conference in Owerri vehemently condemned the Imo Harmony Project, a group advocating for Owerri Zone’s bid to produce Governor Hope Uzodimma’s successor in 2027.
However, OZAC, led by its President, Emmanuel Okwu, denounced OPOCA’s stance as unfounded, baseless and unnecessary.
In a strongly-worded statement, OZAC lambasted OPOCA’s opposition to Owerri zone guber bid, dismissing it as baseless fear-mongering and an attempt to undermine Owerri Zone’s legitimate quest for Imo governorship in 2027.
Part of the statement stated “OPOCA’s resistance is rooted in a misguided perception of political reality, characterized by paranoia and an unwillingness to acknowledge the efficacy of the Imo Charter of Equity”
“OPOCA’s unwarranted hostility towards Owerri Zone’s gubernatorial aspirations is indicative of its posture to truncate the tenets of the Charter of Equity in order to maintain the dominance of Orlu zone of Imo governorship”
The group asserted that Owerri Zone’s early pursuit of the governorship in 2027 is not driven solely by the Imo Harmony Project but is instead a manifestation of the collective desire of the good people of the zone to end years of its marginalization in the political chess board of the State.
OZAC condemned OPOCA’s attempts to delegitimize Owerri Zone’s early preparations for the gubernatorial race, asserting that such actions are antithetical to the principles of democracy and the Imo Charter of Equity.
The group highlighted the significance of the charter in addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity in Imo State politics, noting that OPOCA’s opposition only serves to perpetuate the dominance of Orlu Zone at the expense of other sister zones in the State.
In response to OPOCA’s insinuations, OZAC reaffirmed Owerri Zone’s steadfast support for Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration, emphasizing the zone’s unwavering commitment to the 3R mantra.
It cited Governor Uzodimma’s public declarations of support for Owerri Zone’s gubernatorial bid in 2027 as evidence of his dedication to addressing the zone’s grievances and promoting inclusivity within the state.
Concluding their statement, OZAC called upon elders and stakeholders from Orlu Zone to intervene and restrain OPOCA from further incendiary rhetoric.