The Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition, (OZAC), one of the groups leading the quest for an Imo governor of Owerri zone extraction in 2027 has alleged that some political forces in Orlu Zone, particularly within the All Progressives Congress (APC), are opposed to Owerri Zone producing Governor Hope Uzodimma’s successor in 2027.
Emmanuel Okwu, president of OZAC, made the allegation in a statement made available to INNONEWS in Owerri at the weekend.
“Some powerful forces in Orlu Zone are strongly opposed to the tenets of the Charter of Equity, which Owerri Zone would be the biggest beneficiary of in 2027. A very insignificant number of them are averse to the governoship going to Owerri zone. This is a fact” Okwu said.
He said the debate should be viewed from the standpoint of equity and rotation rather than solely from the constitutional right of individuals to contest the governorship.
“There are no political slaves in Imo State. One particular zone cannot continue to dominate, holding power for 24 years, while another one is just holding for four years and another one is just seven months,” he said.
Okwu said OZAC supports the implementation of the Charter with Owerri Zone taking the next turn in 2027, followed by Okigwe and Orlu in that order.
“That is why the Charter of Equity is there, and OZAC is fully in support of it. Owerri Zone should kick-start the Charter of Equity,” he said.
“No zone is a kingmaker“
Okwu had last week criticised the position attributed to Orluzurumee, saying the group should not assume what he described as a “kingmaker” role in determining who succeeds Uzodimma.
He urged political actors in the State to put aside past political grievances.
“Those who say Owerri betrayed Okigwe in 2011 and those who say actually, Okigwe betrayed Owerri in 2007, should just stop it. Political events or bitterness of the past should be kept away from the issue before us,” Okwu said.
He said none of the three zones in the State was without a history of political disagreements with the others, adding that Orlu’s prolonged hold on the governorship had also affected Owerri and Okigwe.
“Orlu Zone has hurt both Owerri and Okigwe zones in the past by cornering the governorship for more than 24 years. So, would anyone punish them for that? Certainly not,” he said.
Okwu called on what he described as genuine leaders in Orlu to support the Charter and not allow the position of a small group or persons to determine the zone’s overall stance.
“We call on genuine leaders in Orlu to continue to support what is right and not accommodate a very tiny few who are averse to an Owerri Zone governor,” he said.
“To every group in Orlu and Okigwe Zone, we appeal: see reason and support Owerri Zone,” Okwu said.
He said OZAC would continue to engage stakeholders through dialogue rather than confrontation.
“We believe in dialogue, and we will continue to tow this path,” he said.
“Imo State does not belong to anybody. Imo State belongs to the three senatorial zones of Imo State. Owerri Zone are not political slaves to anybody,” he added.
Background Story
The 2027 succession debate in Imo State has centred on whether the governorship should rotate among Imo’s three senatorial zones.
Charles Orie, an APC chieftain from Orlu Zone and ally of Uzodimma, has signalled interest in the governorship, while Ejike Chukwu, from the Ohaji/Egbema axis, also from Orlu Zone, is also being mentioned as a possible contender.
In Owerri Zone, former governor Emeka Ihedioha is running for governorship on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Martin Agbaso is contesting on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); no prominent Owerri zone aspirant has publicly declared on the APC platform.
The succession debate has also prompted consultations among zone-based groups. Owerri Zone United has engaged Okigwe stakeholders, while Orluzurumee has said it will not prematurely endorse either Owerri or Okigwe and will retain Orlu’s right to determine its position.
Another group, Save Imo has similarly said Orlu will participate in the 2027 contest.
