A grand plot to truncate an Imo Governor of Owerri zone extraction in 2027 within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been uncovered.
In the build-up to the November 11, 2023 governorship election, Governor Hope Uzodimma had assured the people of Owerri zone that he will hand over to the zone in line with the Imo Charter of Equity.
The Charter is a document formulated by the Imo Council of Elders to ensure seamless rotation of the governorship among the three geo-political zones – Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri.
Owerri Zone has been the most marginalized, having produced the state governor for only seven months.
Okigwe zone had four years, while Orlu zone would have completed 24 years on the saddle by the time the current governor, Hope Uzodimma ends his tenure in 2027.
Shortly after Uzodimma was sworn in for a second term on January 2020, the succession race kicked off in the APC, though subtly.
Some top chieftains of the party in Owerri zone began moves to prepare grounds for Imo governorship contest in 2027.
This newspaper could reveal that more than six allies of Uzodimma from Owerri zone are interested in taking over from him.
While they have maintained sealed lips and kept their ambition under wraps for now, there are indications that some powerful figures in and outside the party are disposed towards former governor Ikedi Ohakim.
Ohakim, from Okigwe zone, was Imo governor from 2007- 2011. He has been an ally of Uzodimma for a long time, having served as deputy governorship candidate to the latter in 2003 on the platform of the defunct Alliance for Democracy, AD.
Ohakim has not indicated interest to run for governor in 2027. However, this newspaper learnt that the former governor will eventually join the race after ongoing consultations and at the appropriate time.
Pro-Ohakim forces in APC and from Owerri zone such as Prince Bob Njemanze, had advocated for Ohakim’s return as governor on the basis that he is the shortest route for the zone to produce a governor after four years.
Njemanze argued that Ohakim is constitutionally bound not to exceed four years in office, and through proper understanding, he will hand over to Owerri zone after his second and final tenure.
Beyond the postulations of Njemanze, INNONEWS was further informed of a wider plot to get more Owerri zone leaders to denounce the quest of the zone to produce a governor in 2027 and support Ohakim’s return.
Another source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The design behind the call for Ohakim to join the race is part of a plot by some influential persons in the APC to drown the voice of Owerri zone in agitation for Imo governorship in 2027.”
“More willing leaders from Owerri zone in the party are being co-opted into the plot. Aside from individuals, some groups in the zone and their powerful backers will come up to support the return of Ohakim.”
“Those groups and individuals who do not align would be ferociously attacked in the media. You saw how OPOCA criticized the Imo Harmony Project led by former Minister of Interior, Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho.”
“That group which is spearheading an Owerri zone governor seems to have gone into the cooler after its formation and its actions decimated by the Rex Anunobi led Orlu Political Consultative Assembly, OPOCA.
“Soon, another powerful group from Owerri led by a well known leader in the zone would come on board.”
“The leader of the group has been assured of a deputy governor position under an Ohakim governorship and eventually the governorship seat after four years of the latter’s tenure.
“They would agitate for an Owerri zone governor in the interim, but when the chips are down, they would switch their support to the former governor.”
Multiple sources further informed this newspaper last week that the biggest threat to those behind this plot is former governor, Emeka Ihedioha.
“Ihedioha is the strongest politician from Owerri zone at the moment, and this is why you see why he has come under serious media attack, first from the State Commissioner for Information and another prominent political leader in Owerri zone.
“The aim and strategy is to demarket Ihedioha from now to the next governorship election irrespective of the fact that he is not of the APC.
“They know that there is no other politician from Owerri zone in the APC who can muster the support and acceptance Ihedioha already has across the State
“He also carries some level of public sympathy, and if he eventually joins the Labour Party, LP, they fear his aspiration may appeal more to Imolites than Ohakim.” the source revealed to INNONEWS.
Another strategy in the plot, is a concerted effort to shift public opinion in favour of Okigwe zone producing the next governor, challenging the initial commitment made by Governor Hope Uzodimma to select his successor from Owerri zone.
“Those behind this plot want to work on the psychology of the people and other stakeholders in the party, and possibly compel Uzodimma not to narrow down his search for a successor to the Owerri zone alone,” revealed another source close to the developments.