By: Tochi Onyeubi
Apparently seeking for success key points to market the party’s governorship candidate in the coming election, the Owerri Zone leadership may likely opt for a discussion for one tenure bargain with Senator Hope Uzodinma to back his ambition, Trumpeta can state.
Strong indications emerged last weekend that the quagmire, majority of top Owerri Zone leaders found themselves in after Senator Uzodinma of Orlu zone won governorship primaries of APC has propelled them to seek a possible demand for an agreement with the candidate for a one tenure to get their backing.
Irrespective of party affiliation, politicians of Owerri extraction had been clamouring for a governor from the zone in 2019. Having lost the chance in APC where Uzodinma of Orlu zone emerged, chieftains of the party are considering options as tools to convince their followers on a fresh tenure for an Orlu zone person and the Owerri zone for Governor agenda.
Trumpeta recalls that in the run up to the APC governorship primaries late last year, not less than six Owerri zone aspirants led by the Deputy Governor , Prince Eze Madumere, Chief Jude Ejiogu, Sir George Eche, Barr Chima Anozie, Engr Chuks Ololo and others filed in before Uzodinma emerged victorious.
The issue of discussing with Uzodinma for a one tenure pact before handing over to Owerri zone was one of the major crucial matters that came up during an exclusive meeting of APC political heavyweights of the Owerri zone at one of the leader’s home in the state capital.
The one tenure issue it was learnt was considered as a machinery to not only assuage the minds of the people from the zone but also disabuse their minds on the “sentiments” of zoning system, with the hope that the planned “One Tenure” agreement will work out.
The leaders, comprising the major stakeholders of the party from the zone who met at closed door meeting on the issue, maintained that, circumstances that brought about Sen. Hope Uzodinma was a welcome development adding that, what Owerri zone and Imolites needed at that critical time was to do away the administration of Gov. Rochas Okorocha whom they termed “emperor”
According to them, failure to do so would have returned Okorocha as governor through his son in law, Chief Uche Nwosu.
They however hoped that negotiations of one term with their guber candidate would give the zone the needed position in government it has always craved for.
Leaders of the party who spoke at the meeting advised party members to shun gossip, bickering and attitude that tends to disunite members.
The group called on all candidates for other elective positions to rise up and take campaigns serious.
