The Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition (OZAC), a socio-political group championing the quest for Owerri zone to produce the next governor of Imo State in 2027, has vowed to expose and resist those it described as moles and anti-Owerri zone forces, opposed to the quest of the zone to produce Governor Hope Uzodimma’s successor in 2027.
In a statement in Owerri and signed by spokesman of the group, Ernest Nkemedirim and made available to INNONEWS, the group said it has identified “moles and agents of governorship aspirants from Okigwe and Orlu zones domiciled in Owerri zone and, who have been recruited to change the narrative against Owerri zone from producing the next governor of the State.”
“We have identified them and we know them.We do not quarrel with their preference on who should be the next governor of the State, but we would resist any plot by them to serve as moles in the zone and destabilize the legitimate quest of the good people of Owerri zone to produce a governor after Hope Uzodimma,” part of the statement read.
“Gone are the days we allow those who are willing to sell their right for a pot of porridge to influence, dictate or ultimately confuse our people with hollow and selfish narratives, all in a bid to satisfy their paymasters in Okigwe and Orlu zones.
“Their style, approach is outdated, and we are saddened that such respected personalities could stoop so low, spew gibberish in a desperate bid to twist facts on its head, all in a futile attempt to deny their people what is due to them.”
“A Hall of Shame awaits those who have taken this path of perdition, a path of betrayal by aligning with anti-Owerri zone forces to work against the quest by the zone to have a governor in 2027.
“OZAC wishes to state that we remain irrevocably committed to the Imo Charter of Equity, and we completely align with Governor Hope Uzodimma’s pledge last year, wherein he stated that the zone would take from him at the end of his tenure in 2027.”. it stated.
The group called on well-meaning sons and daughters of the zone not to lose sight of the fact that Owerri zone is overdue for the governorship of the State.
“Since 1979, we had the first democracy in Nigeria and in old Imo State , Owerri zone has been marginalized.
“If we begin to count from that era, Owerri zone has produced two civilian governors.
“Evan Enwerem of blessed memory, who spent 22 months in office, and Emeka Ihedioha, who stayed for 7 months.
“Cumulatively, Owerri zone has spent 2 years and 5 months on the saddle.”
“Okigwe zone produced Dee Sam Mbakwe as governor from 1979-1983 and Ikedi Ohakim from 2007-2011, which implies Okigwe zone has had eight years as governor.
“Orlu zone has had the largest stay on the saddle of governorship of the State.
“Achike Udenwa and Rochas Okorocha spent eight years in office, totalling 16 years. By the time the incumbent Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma completes his second term of eight years in 2027, Orlu zone would have done 24 years.”
“Those who support this injustice to Owerri zone are either politically mischievous, economical with the truth or seem to be playing to the gallery,” the statement concluded.