BY ADAEZE NNODOM
The Owerrri Zone Patriots, OZP, a socio political group, has advised intending governorship aspirants from Orlu zone, to forget getting support or votes from Owerri zone in the 2023/24 governorship election in the State.
OZP in a resolution signed by its Coordinator, Hon. John Igwe, after an executive meeting in Owerri, resolved among other things that “it is time the three geo political zones in the state stick to the tenets of a mutual agreement which entails that the seat of Imo governorship should rotate among the three geo political zones in the State”
Igwe said Owerri zone will no longer play second fiddle to Orlu zone, stating that Orlu zone governorship aspirants should stay away from the governorship contest of Imo State in 2023 “because we will not support or campaign any governorship candidate from Orlu zone”
“Owerri and Okigwe zones are not political slaves in Imo State. We cannot continue this way. Since 1999, Orlu zone has produced three state governors- Achike Udenwa (8 years), Rochas Okorocha (8 years) and by 2023/24, Hope Uzodimma would have spent four years in office.
“This implies that Orlu zone has spent 20 years on the saddle of Imo governorship. Owerri zone since 1999 democracy returned to the country, has spent only seven months in office through Emeka Ihedioha, while Okigwe zone through Ikedi Ohakim spent four years in office
“Orlu zone has more than a fair share. It is only fair that no one from Orlu zone should come to Owerri or Okigwe zones to say he or she is vying for Imo governorship in 2023/24.
“The clamour for power shift from Orlu zone to Owerri zone is not of out place, because if Imo State must move forward, there is need for political players in the state to imbibe the tenets of equity and fairplay
“Owerri zone will not support governorship aspirants from Orlu zone in 2023. And we are in support of the contents of the Egbu Declaration, which says Owerri zone must produce the next governor of Imo State.
“The Egbu Declaration remains our working document and we will stick to its contents to the latter” the resolution stated.
