The people of Owerri zone, one of the three political zones that make up Imo State, on December 11, 2018, at All Saints Cathedral Play Ground, Egbu, in Owerri North LGA, agreed in unison to adopt the candidature of Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the arrow head for Owerri to pursue the 2019 Imo Governorship Seat.
The decision was sealed at a Convention of “Owerri Re-awakening” which attracted Owerri sons and daughters devoid of political affiliations or ideological leanings.
The occasion tagged “Imo Governor 2019, for Equity and Justice; Ofo na Ogu”, was a huge success as even Governorship candidates, and former Governorship Aspirants from other political parties were present, and adopted the motion and upheld the agreement that for Owerri zone to clinch the 2019 Governorship election, the clan must pull its resources, energy and connection together, with Emeka Ihedioha as the lucky fellow to pilot the course.
Declaring the occasion open, the chairman of the ceremony, Engr Law Eronini made it clear that the essence of the gathering was to reassure Owerri people that it was necessary for Owerri zone to come together and fight for the 2019 Imo Governorship diadem.
The key Note Speaker, Hon Uche Onyeagocha who delivered his speech in a flawless Igbo language of Owerri dialect held the crowd spell bound with his delivery which touched the listeners emotionally.
The former Governorship Aspirant under APGA wondered why Owerri people should demand for the 2019 Governorship in hushed voices when it is clear that among Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri zones, it is only Owerri people that have been marginalized in the Imo Governorship quest.
He said it was unfortunate that every Senatorial zone in Nigeria have produced a Governor for their States except Owerri People.
Chief ID Nwoga, the pioneer Imo State chairman of PDP in 1999, made it clear that if not for Owerri Zone, Orlu zone would have tasted power, and have done that for close to Sixteen years now, with Owerri only Eighteen months on the position.
Hon Jasper Ndubuaku from Isiala Mbano LGA, said that although he comes from Okigwe zone, justice and equity demands that Owerri zone should be given the chance and support to produce a Governor of Imo State since Okigwe has done Eighty Years, and Orlu Zone Sixteen Years.
One of the Conveners of the “Coalition for Owerri Re-Awakening” Prof Peter Okorie maintained that the arrival on Ihedioha as the agreed candidate for Owerri zone in the 2019 Imo Governorship pursuance was after thorough investigations on the backgrounds and chances of the various candidates from Owerri zone.
In his speech, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha said he was overwhelmed by the adoption, and promised not to fail Imo State, pointing out that he has learnt from his past mistakes, stressing out that he is human, and therefore bound to make mistakes, but appealed that whoever he had offended should forgive him, adding that his focus is to return Imo State to a place where all its citizens would be proud of.
Among those in attendance were Chief ID Nwoga, Chief Cyril Anyanwu, Engr Law Eronini, Rev Father Ogbonna, Barr Mike Ahamba, Chief Emma Nwogu, Frank Nneji (ABC) Mrs Akuruka, Mrs Agatha Ndugbu, Mrs Maria Mbakwe, Chief Rufus Osueke, Donald Ekenta, Chief Fidel Onyeneke, Chief Ben Mere, Innocent Ekenma, Hon Jasper Ndukaku, Chief Alalin Nwaneri, Hon Kiziko Onuoha, Hon Oliver Enwerenem, Hon Alex Emezie, Chief Henry Ekpe, Chief Henry Onwukwe, Nze Ikwu, Bob Njemanze, Chief Boni Unachukwu, Chief Vitalis Ogueri, Barr Ugbaja, Nze Ray Emeana, Innocent Ekenma, Phillip Ejiogu, Prof Peter Okorie, etc.
