political terrain of Imo State in 2015, I will in this week edition look at the position of Okigwe zone in the fresh challenge for who occupies “Douglas House”, the seat of power of the state.
This political commentary debuted two weeks ago with a look at Owerri zone people and the quests for 2015 Governorship position in the state. The analysis ran for two weeks while discussing the chances or otherwise of Nde Owerri in the coming election. The article as usual did not end without reactions from the reading public.
A particular sender was unrelentles in his reaction as the person who I am yet to ascertain his/her true identity took me on text message exchanges. He ended up accusing me of bias alleging that I wrote a coloured commentary because of my Orlu zone background.
I did restate my resolve to not only maintain absolute neutrality but also be independent-minded in my views. Despite my explanations and pragmatic displays that zoning has always been an imaginary posture in the quest for who governs Imo State, the distinguished personality with 08033358733, insists that there is zoning and 2015 is also Owerri zone turn. The person is entitled to his/her opinion since comments are free. But there is a need for him/her and other zonal cohorts to also appreciate the fact that facts are sacred in journalism. Irrespective of whose ox is goured, facts are sacrosanct in such debates.
The person with 08033358733 in his reaction advanced a punch that goes this way “If you understood that after the warry of contestants in 1999, Anunudu won the PDP primaries and stepped down for an Orlu person, Enwerem was shortchanged for Izuogu in APP. Only Achike and Izuogu who were from Orlu stood for the election. It you understand this, I do not know if you will agree that you are the one afflicted by sectional sentiments since you are from Orlu Zone trying to use your God given gifts as a journalist to misinform the Imo people”. I replied by asking him why single out only 1999 as a case study for zoning in the discussion. I will also repeat that if Orlu zone was considered for the 1999 Governorship Election, in the so-called Charter of Equity, why was Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and Greg Mbadiwe who reportedly came second and third respectively not considered since they are from Orlu zone. I was even alarmed that Okorocha during that 98/99 episode allegedly declared himself winner of the PDP primaries and made Anumudu, the supposed winner, his running mate. I challenge the sender to make public the official document or aggrement where both APP and PDP resolved that for the sake of Orlu zone producing Governor, all contestants from affected parties must be from Imo West Senatorial district (Orlu).
Aggrieved at my analysis, the sender went further to state, “it is important to let you know that after Udenwa, in 2007 election, there was a general feeling that Agbaso of APGA from Owerri zone won the election but the election was assumed cancelled to allow an Okigwe man come. Ikedi of little known PPA came in. in 1999, PDP had party Chairman from Orlu zone and Deputy Governor from Okigwe zone. In APP, party Chairman was from Okigwe zone, Governorship Orlu zone, Deputy Governor, Owerri zone. If zoning is not there why wouldn’t one zone produce all officers. My bros let us tell our people the truth to save our state. Thanks.
Fine argument indeed. I did not fail to remind the sender in my subsequent response that his zoning case only treated 1999, forgetting 1991, when Imo State became a lone entity after Abia State and part of Ebonyi State were carved out. In 2003, when Udenwa wanted to complete a second tenure people like Anumudu ran in ANPP, and Agbaso with UNPP ticket, all from Owerri zone, challenged Udenwa of Orlu zone. The sender forgot 2003 election. Too bad from him.
Events of 2007 were even more interesting to de-emphasis the zoning issue. There were prominent Okigwe zones sons in the Governorship race. From Ziggy Azike, Benji Nzeakor, Ikedi Ohakim to Ifeanyi Ararume. From Owerri zone was Martin Agbaso who vied with APGA flag. The intra-party squabbles in PDP between the “Onongono and Abuja” faction tore the party apart. To deny Ararume the opportunity of becoming Governor for reasons known to the powers that be in PDP and presidency during that era, Agbaso irrespective of zone and party was considered and supported even by the Onongono faction of PDP.
Zoning was not considered. The key players are still alive and kicking in Imo politics today. Nobody considered that it was the turn of Okigwe zone why supporting Owerri zone man in 2007. Despite where the “Onongono PDP” came from, they swayed support to Agbaso. We are witnesses to events in the state. Agbaso was cruising home with victory before an interest that was not collective but that of an individual who felt that he owes an explanation to his Okigwe zone people if within the period he was opportune to hold sway as the head of the election umpire, they missed the opportunity to be Governor of Imo State. Keen observers of Imo politics understand the drama that played out which led to the emergence of PPA man, Ohakim. It was not a collective decision of Imo stakeholders because the Owerri zone wouldn’t have easily traded off the visible victory of Agbaso in 2007. That warranted Agbaso’s court insistence that Ohakim must surrender the mandate to him which however proved futile.
Granted, I am from Ohaji/Egbema LGA in Orlu zone. By my disposition, it will be foolhardy to engage in meaningless distortion of facts to create a distasteful effect in the eyes of the public for trivial reasons. I only state facts available in my memory. Anybody that feels otherwise shall be entitled to this same platform to air his/her views so far it has no commercial qualities.
While top politicians, associated socio-cultural organizations and pedestrian political organization from Owerri zone are warning up for the great 2015 governorship battle, the people of Okigwe are laying claim to the position in the coming general election.
Concerned Okigwe people contend that it is unfair and irrational for Owerri zone people to lay claim to 2015 when their deserved two-term was caught short no thanks to the tactical support provided to an Orlu zone person by people of Owerri zone. According to them, if zoning is the yardstick, they deserve to be allowed to complete their second term which eluded them when Ohakim and Ararume, two frontline candidates lost out in 2011. Therefore, Owerri zone should look beyond 2015.
One of the key Okigwe sons in a recent statement blamed Owerri zone for denying them the right to complete their tenure in the perceived zoning arrangement. The politician blamed some early birds from Owerri who have declared interest to run for Governorship election, as misfortune bearers for Okigwe zone in 2011.
While the former Minister for Interior and PDP Chieftain, who has declared interest to run for 2015 Governorship. Capt Emma Iheanacho was accused of conducting himself in a manner that was against an Okigwe zone man running under PDP as he lost his booth, ward and even LGA to APGA, another frontline politician, Agbaso, of APGA said to be oiling his political machinery for a another battle in 2015 gave an Orlu man, Okorocha, the necessary financial, material and logistic support to thwart Okigwe zone chances to complete their tenure in the last election.
But the aforementioned Owerri zone persons, Ihenacho and Agbaso have tangible answers and responses to the Okigwe zone jibes. I have been opportune to have an interactive session with these powerful forces over these allegations. For want of space, we shall continue the discussion for next week’s edition. Thanks for reading. Comments and reactions are highly welcome.
