By Prince C. Epum (Nwachinaemere)
Owerri zone need not produce the governor in the next dispensation. They have a very fair share – the Capital. Owerri zone is the most developed zone in the state. If other zones clamour for governors from their zone to develop their zones, please what will Owerri zone be needing a governor from her zone for? Let’s set apart Dee Sam Mbakwe who operated under the 2nd Republic. Then Imo State was bigger and more expansive.
Let’s roll our attention on the 4th Republic, and with the current constituents of the state. Owerri zone trunketed Okigwe zone’s tenour. Owerri people urshered Rochas Okorocha into Imo government House (through Martin Agbaso, who invested APGA ticket on him for a good sum).
Owerri zone executed the sham votes and shenanigans that removed Ohakim, through the notorious reruns Owerri zone supertended to effect their coup against Okigwe zone.
May 06, 2011, we still remember. Mbaitoli, Ngor Okpala, and the rest are still fresh like yesterday. The question remains, and still unanswered till date: was Rochas, in any way, better than Ohakim?
The arguenent may, however, be posited that Orlu zone did not deliver much of her political strength at the 2011 elections to Ohakim. But let’s be categorical in sustaining the arguenent that the man who opened the door to the thief to plunger the house is the principal offender. Rochas Okorocha is the usurper from Orlu who bridged the subsisting equity in the state. Who opened the door for him? Okigwe zone needs pacification for the spirit of equity to come alive ever again.
If really Imo state is to walk by the word equity, as every one is touting these days, all Imolites, and the political Parties should focus on reserving their governorship tickets for Okigwe zone candidates.
Let us appreciate the fact that Owerri zone is not disadvantaged in development. Owerri zone is peak of the pack as long as development in the state is in issue. It is inequitable then clamouring to produce the governor at any time soon. Equity must be given a shameless face in Imo State
If we could allow Orlu zone ride the horse of political governance in the state for 24 years for them to catch up with the rumble of development, why can’t we, in the spirit of equity, offer Okigwe zone same opportunity. We ask for nothing more from our brethren.
Twenty years consecutive run is not too much to concede to your beleaguered brother.
Okigwe zone is one of the oldest provinces in Eastern Region, and the most senior province in Imo state. Okigwe is the direct elder brother of Orlu. So it a moral duty on the part of Owerri and Orlu zones to make sacrifices to ensure their elder brother advances beyond its present status. No concession is too much. In our long history as a people such concessions are legion.
Sacrifices and concession are part and parcel of our collective Igbo development mantra:
Onye ahala Nwanne ya.
Behind these words lie the indomitable spirit of Igbo growth and progress. Okigwe must develop too.
May equity prevail in our thoughts and actions.
