THE IMPERATIVE OF CEDING THE 2027 OWERRI SENATE SEAT TO NGOR OKPALA: A MATTER OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY
By Kasarachi Agbugba
The clamour for the 2027 Senate seat to be ceded to Ngor Okpala is not merely a matter of political expediency, it is a necessity grounded in history, justice, and equity. For too long, the people of Ngor Okpala have been denied representation at the highest levels of governance in Owerri Zone and Imo State, despite their significant contributions to the socio-economic and political development and progress of the zone, and State.
A review of the senatorial representation in Owerri Zone reveals a glaring imbalance against Ngor Okpala bloc. It is the only bloc among the four in the zone that is yet to smell the Senate Seat. Other blocs MbaIke, Mbaise, and Owerri have been there multiple times. Owerri bloc has been there through Senators Eze Ajoku and incumbent Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi. MbaIke has produced notable senators like Evan Enwerem, Amah Iwuagwu, and Samuel Anyanwu, while Mbaise has been represented by senators Tony Anyanwu, Isdore Obasi, Bright Nwanne, and Chris Anyanwu. Meanwhile, not only has Ngor Okpala not tasted the office, it has also not occupied any elective or appointive office that accrues on zoning basis.
It has never produced Assembly Speaker, Deputy Governor, Minister, not to talk of a highly coveted office like governor.
It is this glaring and blaring injustice and inequity that is fueling the agitation for ceding of the seat to Ngor Okpala in 2027. It’s only by so doing according to pundits that fairness and justice would not only be seen to have been served Ngor Okpala, but would actually be said to have been served it.
By ceding the 2027 Senate seat to Ngor Okpala, the political blocs and stakeholders in Owerri Zone, would be upholding the principle of rotational representation or “turn by turn,” which guarantees justice, fairness, equity and inclusivity. It also brings about peace, love, stability and progress.
The people of Ngor Okpala have demonstrated commitment to political growth and development of Owerri Zone for several decades. A good number of political leaders and stakeholders of the zone cut their political teeth in the “Mariam Political School,”a sobriquet for the once famed political structure of Chief Mrs Maria Egu of the renown Egu Dynasty of Umuohiagu, Ngor Okpala LGA.
They have always played significant roles in the emergence of one Senator after another since this republic began in 1999. A good example of this key role was the massive vote it gave incumbent Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, which gave him victory in the 2023 general elections. Ngor Okpala has also paid its due in the making of governors of the state since 1999. Having sacrificed enough for their zone and state, there is now the urgent need for a clear and fair process that would prioritize the interest of Ngor Okpala people, to for once go to the senate, above the interest of the other blocs.
Ceding the 2027 Senate seat to Ngor Okpala is not just a political necessity, it is an imperative rooted in history justice, and equity. Ngor Okpala should be allowed to take its turn in the Senate, as it is only that way that Owerri Zone would move closer to achieving balanced and inclusive governance, and representation. Which would in turn give birth to sustainable peace, unity, love and progress.
Kasarachi Agbugba is an Owerri Based Political Analyst
