By Eze Amaeshi
With Owerri zone most favoured to produce Governor Hope Uzodinma’s successor as governor in 2027, it is pertinent that the people and political leaders of the zone put their acts together and give to ndimo a governor of Owerri zone extraction that we can equate to late Governor Sam Mbakwe, in terms of capacity, patriotism, selflessness and commitment towards the future greatness of our dear state. This is because late Sam Mbakwe still holds the record of performance as state governor since Imo state was created in 1976.
The clamour for Owerri zone to produce the next Imo governor, just like the ongoing push for ndigbo to produce the next President of Nigeria, is based on the obvious need to end the marginalization of the zone. As the people of Owerri zone and indeed all Imolites move to end this unhealthy marginalization of one of the tripods holding the balance of the state at the governorship level, it is also necessary that the ugly issue of marginalization be not seen any longer within the three geo- political blocs that constitute Owerri zone. Thes are : Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru( Mbaike bloc), Mbaise bloc and old Owerri LGA bloc which comprises Owerri west LGA, Owerri north LGA, Owerri municipal ( Owerri federal constituency) and Ngor Okpala LGA. Of these three blocs in Owerri zone, old Owerri LGA is the most marginalized. The politics of Owerri zone over the years have been dominated by Mbaike and Mbaise blocs, especially in the present democratic dispensation since 1999.
Even though Owerri zone has not really produced a governor in the state like other zones, the seven months stint by Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as governor puts the Mbaise bloc ahead of the other blocs in the zone. This is supported by the four years of Mbaise bloc in the deputy governorship seat through Mrs Ada Okwuonu during the tenure of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim ( 2007-2011). Mbaike has been like a recurring decimal in the deputy governorship position with Prince Eze Madumere, Prof. Placid Njoku and currently Mrs. Chinyere Ekomaru. Old Owerri LGA bloc has had only two years as deputy governor through Mr. Jude Agbaso during the tenure of Governor Rochas Okorocha who used all means available to him as governor to forcefully edge him out of office to pave the way for his then pal, Eze Madumere of Mbaike bloc to become deputy governor. With all these developments, justice, equity and fairness demands that not only is Owerri zone given the opportunity to produce the next governor of our dear state, but that old Owerri LGA be given the chance so as to bridge the gap in top political leadership within the state. Old Owerri LGA is saturated with men and women of capacity who can drive the ship of state to our collective dream. The political leaders of old Owerri zone must not allow squabbling to cost them this opportunity as it arrives. Presently, Dr. Chima Amadi of Ngor Okpala LGA in old Owerri bloc is offering himself for the 2027 governorship of the state. He is a man of immense capacity and leadership acumen. Tested and found worthy in the corporate world, Dr. Amadi has a vision for the new Imo he wants to create and a guiding blueprint to get there. Amadi is a man of humble beginnings who has tasted life as one that grew up in a poor environment experiencing the daily struggle of the ordinary people. These ordinary people today form Dr. Amadi’s political constituency and he feels their pulse on daily basis. Obviously, this Ngor Okpala born technocrat has not come for himself. He is in the governorship race for the sake of ndimo. All his philanthropic activities over the years have been centered on alleviating the poverty of the indigent and highly vulnerable members of the society. Though the Imo Charter of Equity favours Owerri zone for the the coming governorship position, the current hardship the people have to contend with everyday calls for a leader like Dr. Amadi with a strong motivation to serve with the fear of God.
Comfortable and stable by all definitions of the terms, Dr Chima Amadi promises to be the long- awaited “physician” needed to cure our dear state of its seemingly hydra- headed challenges. The people of old Owerri LGA should rally round Dr Chima Amadi as the next governor of our state and not engage in political horse – trading. Dr Amadi’s emergence as the next governor of the state would remove the cloak of marginalization from Ngor Okpala LGA, old Owerri LGA and also Owerri zone. It would bring about a balance within the tripod of power blocs in the state and zones. The balance and sense of belonging among the people of old Owerri zone would lead to the healthy development of the state. Over the years Ngor Okpala LGA has consistently played a pivotal role in producing Imo governors due to her large population and enormous resources.
Against the 2027 governorship election, Imolites are relying on Governor Hope Uzodinma’s integrity and commitment to the Imo Charter of Equity which should not stop at the zonal level, but should also distill to other levels so that equity, justice and fairness could have a pride of place in our political system. I call on Governor Uzodinma not to allow any sentiments or considerations to sway his commitment to the Imo Charter of Equity which would be his major legacy to keep the state stable, even many years after his tenure as state governor. Again, I must say that a charter of equity is not synonymous with compulsory two tenures as presently propagated by those in Chief Ikedi Ohakim s camp. Any second tenure must be predicated on performance during first tenure which must be decided by Imolites.
