Coming out from “2017 Owerri Summit” held at All Saints Anglican Church play Ground, Egbu, in Owerri North LGA, Imo State, the Indigenous People of Owerri Zone, comprising of Nine (9) Local Government Areas in Imo State, have resolved that the 2019 Imo Governorship slot must not elude the Area, as they agreed in unison that Owerri zone has played enough supporting role to the other three zones and therefore needs the support of others in 2019.
At the Summit, which attracted who is who from Owerri zone, from different political leanings, was a success in attendance and deliberations.
Many prominent sons of the zone; politicians, captains of Industries, Academia, Business moguls, the clergy, Traditional Rulers and other sectors were allowed to mount the platform and address the mammoth crowd.
The Summit with the theme “Owerri Question” had Mr. Paschal Dozie, Chairman of MTN and Diamond Bank as Chairman, Renowned Legal Icon, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) delivered the Keynote address.
Ahamba traced the history of Owerri from 1906 when old Owerri District was made up with Aba, Ahoada, Afikpo, Orlu, Brass, Degema, Bonny, Bende, PortHarcourt, which have all metamorphosed into Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia and Imo States.
He was worried that rather than dictate the pace for others as the mother Hen to these other States today, Owerri zone is being marginalized in the scheme of things even within Okigwe and Orlu zones so much so that Owerri zone has not produced a Governor to lead Imo State except for just Eighteen months, while other zones have recorded up to Sixteen years in power.
Owerri people regretted that today, the zone has been shrunk to the extent that it has lost Ohaji/ Egbema to Orlu zone.
“The Summit noted with regret the ceding of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area (which historically and geographically has been part of Owerri zone) to Orlu Senatorial zone” the Summit hinted.
In the end, a general Resolution called “Egbu Declaration” was reached at and endorsed by the people, signed by Paschal Dozie, Hon Oliver Enwerenem and Fidel Onyeneke.
Part of the Resolution was that “equity demands that the next Governor of Imo State should be an indigene of Owerri zone”.
It also instructed that “voters in Imo State should vote for only political parties that choose their candidates from Owerri zone in the interest of equity, fair play and unity of Imo State”.
Those present include Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Sam Obaji, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Sen Sam Anyanwu, Hon Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Hon Henry Nwawuba, Prof Jude Njoku, Col Lambert Iheanacho, Chief Mike Ahamba, Mr Frank Nneji, Sir Jude Ejiogu, Chief Ambrose Ejiogu, Chief Jerry Chuwkwueke, Hon Henry Ekpe, Dr Obi- Njoku, Col Luke Ochulor, Chief Charles Onyeagbako, Bar Alaribe Iheukwumere Chief Cyril Anyanwu, Chief Okechukwu Aguwa, Chief Alan B Onyemechi, Chief Aductus Onuoha, Ben Mere, Hon Alex Emeziem, Chief ChristOgonus Okoro, Chief Denis Okwu, Kanayo. O. Kanayo, Uche Ogbuagu, Lambert Nnodim, Dr Aslem Opara, Hon Bruno Ukaoha, Hon Ken Agbim, Hon Mike Iheanetu, Chief Uche Njoku, Chief AUD Nwosu, Tom Njemanze, Chief Henry Onwukwe, and too many others.
