Chieftains and members of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP who converged at the venue of the zonal Executive Meeting in Orlu last weekend to deliberate on the way forward to ensure the party’s progress in 2015 General Election, adopted an open contest for all zones in Imo state ahead of the Governorship Election as few minority sought for proper consultation.
In an address, the zonal chairman of PDP in Orlu Engr Greg Madu stated that the privilege given to returned members of the party will further strengthen and add value to PDP. Pointing out that the strategic objective of PDP in Imo state is to return to Government House in 2015, and charged all party faithful to help in achieving the set objective.
He stressed on the unity of the party and warned against internal imposition, indiscipline and anti-party activities as he solicited for the co-operation of every member of the party.
The state chairman of PDP, Chief Bar Nnamdi Anyehie advised members against disunity and appreciated the need for Orlu to have come together to articulate their position on issues bothering them and noted that the party is on a mission to recover power in the state.
Speaking, Senator Hope Uzodinma said that PDP still remains a united party in Imo with the responsibility to remove the Governor whom he said parades him self as an Emperor from Douglas House. He pointed out that anyone talking about zoning do not mean well for the party’s progress, adding that there are no legal document that determines where the PDP Governor must come from insisting that every PDP member is entitled to the right and privileges stated in the party’s constitution, stories that zoning only de-senatorial Orlu people of the opportunity to negotiate power “if you are not a threat to the pursuit of power how can you have the opportunity to negotiate for power”
Uzodinma further said that the reason why Imo state is included in the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC state was because of Orlu zone, adding that Orlu zone have continued to enjoy its benefit following executed projects installed in the zone. He disclosed that among 31 federal government appointments, 26 are of Owerri zones “And yet they talk about charter of equity which is illegal” he said.
He maintained that if he declares his intention to contest for the seat he will win, and urged those who wants him out of contest to come for dialogue. Noting that as nobody can bribe him, no one can bribe Orlu people.
Majority supported the motion moved by the distinguished Senator when he ask for the Governorship of Imo state to be contested by all senatorial zones, the desire to move Imo PDP forward by allowing people come out and express their interest according to the rules through free and fair primaries and to dis-own the charter of equity with few minority less who demanded for a proper consultation through the senatorial district caucus.
Speaking also, Hon Jones Onyeriri said that the PDP constitution has a senatorial district caucus with a function to discuss urgent and important political and economic matters as it affect the state, the party and the zone.
Hon Jones Onmyeriri stressed that it is critical to consult the caucus to consider matters that affect political office holders, the party and the senatorial zone which is geared rewards the unity of the party and co-existence as a state.
The former Governor of Imo state Chief Dr Achike Udenwa in his remarks expressed joy to have returned to his party PDP. He encouraged youth and women participation in PDP noting that politics should be played with brother-hood.
He pointed out that it is not easy to defeat incumbent noting that with the caliber of people in PDP coupled with dedication, hard work and sincerity of purpose, PDP can earn the seat. He finally pledged his loyalty to the party at both state and national level.
Meanwhile Owerri zone PDP leaders over the weekend took their quest for an Owerri zone Governorship extraction to Okigwe zone.
Addressing Okigwe people on behalf of OZOPOLF, the pioneer chairman of PDP, Imo state chapter, Chief I.D Nwoga disclosed that OZOPOLF has decided to visit Okigwe people in order to solicit their support to enable Owerri zone produce the next governor of Imo state.
Chief Nwoga insisted that “Imo Charter of Equity” should be restored since Okigwe and Orlu zones have taken their own governorship slots in the current democratic dispensation.
“It is assumed that Imo governorship seat has become the affair of Orlu and Okigwe zones. It is therefore recorded that Okigwe zone has ruled Imo for 8 years, Orlu zone is approximately ruling Imo for 16 years while Owerri zone has ruled for only 4years. Governorship seat should be rationalized.
The political leader told Okigwe people that their visit was to plead with them to support Owerri zone in 2015, adding that he was one of the leaders of the committee that formulated the zoning system ranging from 1999 which Orlu zone violated.
Responding, the PDP Okigwe council of elders urged them to go back home and harmonize themselves as there will be a committee set up to oversee “Imo Charter of Equity”
Earlier in his address, Nze Ozichukwu F Chukwu who is the chairman of PDP Okigwe council of Elders noted that the burning issues today particularly in Imo which is zoning and rotation can not be separated from the history and culture of Ndigbo.
He said “for 2015, my people of Okigwe have decided to tear down the veil of vain excuses and taken a decision that one cannot ignore, reject or reverse without the curse of the dead and the outburst of the living. That decision is to complete their tenure from 2015 to 2019 for “: what is good to the goose is good for the gander”.
