Even as the 2019 elections are far away, the permutations and strategies have started in earnest by individuals, Councils, Zones, States and Country in order not to be left panting in the end.
Therefore, Imo State is not left out in the feverish euphoria for the election, which usually shakes the State with the coveted trophy; office of the Governor.
From all indications, the 2019 Imo Governorship election will be tumultuous in nature because of various factors, ranging from zoning to political platforms.
Since the creation of Imo State in 1976, the State has had five civilian Governors; Chief Samuel Mbakwe from Obowo in Obowo LGA , Senator Evan Enwerem from Atta, in Ikeduru LGA, Chief Achike Udenwa from Amaifike in Orlu LGA, Chief Ikedi Ohakim from Okohia in Isiala Mbano LGA, and the incumbent, Owelle Rochas Okorocha from Ogboko in Ideato South LGA.
For political expediency, equity and Justice, Imo State was divided into three political units, namely Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri zones.
And all these zones have produced Governors that ruled Imo State. Okigwe, has done Eight years on the seat, through Mbakwe and Ohakim.
Owerri zone produced Senator Evan Enwerem who was on the thrown for Eighteen months.
Orlu has done Eight years under Achike Udenwa’s regime, and the present Governor, Okorocha is from Orlu and has done six years already.
Therefore, by the Grace of God, by May 29, 2017, Orlu would have completed Sixteen years on the seat.
As 2019 approaches, as expected, all the zones are laying claim to the seat. However, in politics, power is not served like Goat head and Ugba on a plate. It is fought for, either through but not limited to the barrel of the gun, lobbying, negotiation, consensus, ballot etc.
But in the modern democracy as practiced in Imo, change of power is basically through the ballot box. Therefore, in 2019, whoever that will be Governor of Imo State most emerge through an election, whether he/ she is from Orlu, Okigwe, or Owerri zone.
Having said this, there are options for the three zones to produce the Governor in 2019. However, looking at the table of Imo Governorship seat, conscience, justice and equity clearly tells us who among the three zones is lagging behind in making a Governor for the State.
It follows that, if Imo State adheres to justice and fair play, the zone that has less days in Douglas House ought to have been asked to provide who succeeds Okorocha in 2019.
But as earlier said, in politics, if you don’t say I am here, nobody does that for you.
Indeed, it is very clear and appalling that Owerri zone is the most marginalized in the comity of Imo zones, when the issue of the Governorship diadem is tabled.
But the zone cannot be heard unless it makes it clear to its counsins that since the meat in the soup is twelve pieces, and they are three in number, the only universal truth is that each person must take four pieces for the meat to go round equitably, without problem. There is no theory or logic about this glaring fact.
However, looking at the Imo Governorship scenario, Owerri has so much been reduced to kindergartens that except they shout from the roof tops, those that help drown them may not see reason to release them.
Therefore, when Owerri zone stirred the hornet nest a week ago with what they called Equity Group, the zone was merely stating the obvious, but only that they are seen as just barking Bulldogs that hardly bite when the time comes to act.
This posture of Owerri people reduced them to ridicule among the political zones of Imo State that the Owerri agitation for Imo Governorship seat is usually treated with a wave of the hand by Okigwe and Orlu.
Meanwhile, what remains to be seen is whether the call by Equity Group is the usual ruse by Owerri people, at a time like this, which makes Okigwe and Orlu see Owerri as unserious people, who rather use Imo Governorship agitation to corner personal funds for themselves.
Another election season is approaching and it would be put to test if Owerri people will not as usual fall-over one another, while fighting for crumbs that are thrown at them by their Orlu and Okigwe brothers.
Since Owerri fired the salvo about 2019 Governorship seat, their Orlu brothers have replied with more ferocious attack that, if care is not taken, may set the polity on fire.
As expected, Okigwe brothers have also roared, with what it called “Okigwe for Okigwe 2019”.
The only agenda of the Okigwe Group is for Okigwe zone to Governor Imo State in 2019 and “complete its two terms” which was cut short during the regime of Chief Ikedi Ohakim.
Okigwe is saying that it does not care about any political party, provided an Okigwe son takes over from Okorocha in 2019.
Now, with Owerri asking for the seat, Orlu saying it is for the best, and Okigwe rooting to complete its term, the line has been drawn for the 2019 Imo Governorship battle.
While this is raging, the Imo State Governor added salt to the injury, with what could pass for a Marshall declaration from Okorocha, whose Press Secretary shot from the hips, setting the arrow at Owerri zone, who may be targeted for raising the dust that is presently rocking the polity.
Okorocha in his commanding release made it clear that no Group or zone should take him for granted, because of his peaceful disposition, warning that at no time has any single zone been allowed to produce the Governor of Imo State.
But if the truth must be told, and if equity and justice should be the watch word in a democratic system, where transparency and Majority proclamation must be followed, then the less privileged zone in Imo Governorship trophy is Owerri, followed by Okigwe, and Orlu in that order.
Okigwe has done 8years, Orlu Sixteen and Owerri Eighteen months. Even a primary school pupil can easily get this mathematics correct.
But that Orlu has risen up again to defend it’s strangle hold on the power given to it on the platform of equity and justice in 1999 is nothing but calling other zones fools.
In 1999, Owerri zone had the opportunity to have arrogated the office of the Governor to itself willingly because the PDP Chairman, Chief ID Nwoga is from Owerri, and Bar Humphery Anumudu who won the party primary is from Owerri.
But the situation ever since then has degenerated to the Monkey and Cup Scenario, where it has been difficult to retrieve the cup. Rather than appeal to the conscience of Owerri and Okigwe zones for holding power this long and reneging Imo equity formula, their Orlu brothers have been busy, beating the Drums of War for the 2019 election.
How does it sound to the ear that after leaving office in 2019, Okorocha would foist another Orlu man in Office, who will do another term, making it Owerri 18 months, Okigwe 8 years and Orlu 20 years?
It means Okigwe and Owerri are facing the Nigeria situation, where the Northern hegemony has continued to Lord it over the Southeast and South West, without minding how others feel in the Nigerian project.
This scenario stretches the patients of the Okigwe and Owerri man to the limit of elastic proportion. This seems like invitation to chaos, because everywhere in the world what stirs conflagrations is treating your partner as no fit person.
Unfortunately, rather than address the issue with some elements of decorum and respect, Orlu is sounding tough and arrogant, as if Okigwe and Owerri are not equal partners in the Imo project, but rather errand Boys.
If Imo believes it stands on a tripod it would be better to sit down on discussion table, and analyze the Imo situation as regards how power has been shared among the three zones.
Now, arguments are flying about how in all the Governorship elections in the State, right from 1999, all the three zones contested. I see this as an argument, for argument sake, but lacks logic.
It is a verifiable fact that at no time did any political party in Imo State not follow the zoning formula, even though it is not enshrined in a written agreement.
From Mbakwe; his Deputy was Isaac Uzoigwe from the Abia axis, while Mbakwe is core Imo.
Evan Enwerem’s Deputy, Douglas Acholonu is from Orlu. Achike Udenwa’s Deputy Ebere Udeagu came from Okigwe, while Ikedi Ohakims’s Deputy, Dr Ada Okwonu is from Owerri zone.
Presently, Rochas Okorocha picked his Deputy from Owerri zone; Jude Agbaso and then Eze Madumere.
Therefore, for anybody to say there is no zoning in Imo is quite illogical.
As 2019 approaches, it is glaringly clear to all men that Owerri and Okigwe are the only zones that have the moral justification to lay claim to Imo Governorship seat.
Okigwe, for the fact that they are lagging behind Orlu with Eight years.
However, the argument is totally in favour of Owerri who has only Eighteen months.
In order words, while Okigwe moves the argument that it has done only 8 years, Owerri presents its case that is has only Eighteen months. Therefore, only supreme argument can sail here.
But adding Orlu in the equation is out of place, because three zones own Imo State, and three of them must be given sense of belonging, for peace, justice, equity to reign.
In other words, it is left for Owerri to either allow Okigwe to complete their proverbial two terms, or also do their own one term, and stand on the same stead with Okigwe to argue for more terms.
What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. But in the process, Orlu should be humbly lobbied to see reason for their cousins to also drink from the cup as they had drank. But if Orlu zone insist it must join the race, late the ballot decide it.
But should Orlu use their numerical strength to force themselves into the office again, as against the wish of Okigwe and Owerri zones, it cannot be guaranteed that the marginalized zones will ever continue to live peacefully with their dominating brother, Orlu.
Therefore, for posterity and peace to reign, it behooves that Orlu should accommodate their brothers since Imo project is anchored on three legs. No one leg leaves the table without it tumbling. You may ask how the Junkun/Tiv face-off started. I am only musing.
