By Chidiebere Heavens Agwunobi
Prolific author, Chinua Achebe of the blessed memory once said that for one to make reasonable amends to his errors,he must first identify where the rain started to beat him. This is because if you don’t know where the rain started to beat you, you will definitely not know when it will stop.
Obviously,political leaders in Owerri zone appear to be consistently miscalculating and making more errors each passing day.The christening of the multiplicity of sociopolitical groups in Owerri zone as “Owerri United” just after the last baptismal name – “Owerri Leaders of Thought” a few months back – is one of the most ludicrous decisions ever taken by Owerri zone political leaders. It is cacophonous, bizarre, and paints a vivid picture of a complex mentality and confusion on the part of Owerri zone political leaders.More succinctly put, “Owerri United” is a marriage of strange bed fellows – something prone to collapse like a pack of cards sooner than later.
The “collapse” will be swift and precise because “Owerri United” is an artificial gathering of fellows with ulterior motives. The heart says a different thing while the smile and banters convey another thing. According to William Shakespeare,”there is no art of finding the mind’s construction on the face.”
Owerri United is a forced political marriage borne out of desperation – it lacks depth and sincerity. Let me highlight the limitations of this forced unity or over-generalization.
“Owerri United” is like a single umbrella. A single umbrella may shield some while leaving others exposed to the “rain” of political tsunami, creating an imbalance rather than true fairness.
Insofar the contending interests within the zone are in different political parties and representing their various constituencies, this feeble consensus or unity is exaggerated, which is a billion times worse than an understatement. The foundation is weak and shaky. It can definitely not absorb the weight of the imminent political pressure that is bound to arise soon.
It is a fact that certain elements within Owerri zone are representing and loyal to some powerful groups in Orlu and Okigwe zones, respectively. This is a fact that is incontestable.
Where there is politics, there are millions of interests. The attempt to bringing a “one-size-fits-all” umbrella—a predefined framework of some political power blocks —into a gubernatorial politics often fails because it ignores the unique historical and political context, especially as we navigate the dynamics of 2027 elections. Therefore, the purported single umbrella platform in Owerri zone would ultimately leave many seasoned politicians drenched.
I come in peace.
