*Constitute Committees.
As discussions over which zone should produce Governor Hope Uzodimma’s successor in 2027 gather momentum, the Owerri Zone Peoples Mandate (OWZOPEM) has said it will commence talks with the Okigwe Global Elders Forum led by HRM Eze (Dr.) Oliver Ohanwe and the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA).
Recently, several groups in Owerri and Okigwe zones have made strong claims about why it should produce Governor Hope Uzodimma’s successor in line with the Imo Charter of Equity.
The group said the proposed meetings are geared towards the potential resolution of the obvious quest to produce the next governor of Imo State in 2027.
Conveners of the group, Prof. Vitalis Ajumbe, Capt. (Retd.) David Mbamara, and Chief Mike Nwachukwu, in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting, comprising stakeholders from the nine local governments and 104 Electoral Wards across Owerri Zone, said it will also “engage Orlu Zone through their apex organization, Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA), with the intent of carrying them along on our engagement and eventual agreement with
Okigwe Zone.”
“To communicate as soon as possible to those championing the cause of Okigwe zone, particularly the Okigwe Global Elders Forum led by HRH Eze (Dr) Oliver Ohanwe, our intention to meet with them as partners in progress towards the potential resolution of the obvious and apparent clash of interests of Owerri and Okigwe zones in their respective quests to produce the next governor of Imo State,” part of the communiqué stated.
It also agreed “to write to the Ohaji/Egbema Political Bloc of Orlu Zone, commending them for their decision to remain in Imo State following the agitation by some well-meaning Orlu sons in the National Assembly for the creation of Orlu State.”
It further resolved “to set up a high-powered committee of men and women of integrity and good standing in society who will initiate discussions with the Okigwe Global Elders Forum with the intent of agreeing on an appropriate platform to hear out each zone with a view to coming to a resolution of our differences and come out with a united position on which zone should take the first shot under the re-enacted Imo Charter of Equity.
“Such a quid pro quo agreement between Okigwe and Owerri zones is a win-win situation,” part of the communiqué stated.
It further pledged to write a letter of commendation to Governor Hope Uzodimma for the good works he is doing in Imo State and for Imo State.”
The highlight of the meeting was the composition of several committees, such as the Strategy Committee, Contact and Mobilization, Media, and Publicity, among others, to drive the intent and purposes of the group.
In their separate remarks at the meeting, two of the three conveners, Prof. Ajumbe and Capt. David Mbamara (Retd), argued strongly that Owerri Zone must negotiate for power in 2027.
“There is a need for negotiation between Owerri, Okigwe, and Orlu zones over the governorship. We must engage in talks and discussions, he said.
Capt. Mbamara recalled how Owerri and Okigwe zones made serious and grievous political mistakes in 1999 and 2011.
“In 1999, an Owerri zone son won the PDP Guber primary, and we traded it to Orlu zone.
“In 2011, Owerri Zone gave the APGA governorship ticket to Rochas Okorocha from Orlu Zone, which led to the exit of Ikedi Ohakim. Owerri Zone masterminded the exit of Ohakim.”
“What happened in 2011 will happen again in 2027 if care is not taken,” he declared.