By Cyril Aririguzo, KSM


For some time now, there has been insinuations from many political quarters especially the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Imo State that Owerri Zone should be allowed to produce the next governor for the state come 2027 in the the interest of Charter of equity. 


As laudable and sensitive such political compromise may sound, I honestly  commend those championing the idea to compensate Owerri for the brazen political marginalization with or without genuine intensions. I have also taken time to do due diligence, so as not be caught up against upping very much convicted contribution to the discourse late. As an experienced journalist and public opinion analyst, I have personally come to know that changing Imo political landscape will not come on a platter of gold like many may have perceived if nothing is done constructively on the matter. This is because some of the entrenched interests with their political sophistry are no match for the largely politically naive and economically disadvantaged masses in Imo State. On the other hand, we have a largely complicit elite class that is just comfortable and happy with the status quo to be bothered about changing anything for the masses come 2027.


 This subtle, tricky, superficially plausible, but generally fallacious method of reasoning has gradually taken over our political sphere as a culture. Most career politicians basking around are living by it, being conservative today, progressive tomorrow or being corrupt in the morning and anti-corruption crusader in the evening like what we are seeing in Imo All Progressive Congress (APC) of late in Imo State. Beyond the career politicians, our complicit elites, the hanger on and the likes also swim in a pool of political sophistry of the highest order just to keep confusing the masses.


Another issue I also discover that is worrisome is the showing of lack of experienced, understanding or sophistication, often in a context where one neglects pragmatism in favour of moral idealism by majority of our people. The political naivety of the masses comes largely from lack of circumspection and focus on people and events around them. It appears the political masses are easily programmed by half-truths and outright falsehood repeatedly fed through the media and other channels of propaganda. Today we must acknowledge the fact that we have perspicacious and consummate technocrats of Owerri zone extraction. Those who have made indelible impacts in the nation’s economic development and hence have verifiable capacity to transform Imo state when they are supported to lead. How I wish Imo stakeholder in their wisdom would understand this and support the best candidate from Owerri zone not just to satisfy obsolete, cretaceous, parochial and unpopular individual just for selfish reasons or based on mundane and unfounded logical stories.


This is where I think people with capacity should be weighed and considered based on their track records, clout, sound education, good character, loyalty to the people, experience, pedigree, progressive ideologies and impressive team spirit capacity should be opted for. 


The likes of Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, CON the former governor whose seven (7) months tenure was cut short by the Supreme Court judgement of January 14, 2020 will still not be forgotten in a hurry given the huge turned around of Imo economy and peaceful atmosphere he brought to the people while his tenure lasted. When one look at such attributes and try to look elsewhere calls for questioning if Owerri zone is serious for the run. He is simply good and  has an intimidating resume with others may not have when compared. When the chip are down they can only throw tantrum and implore with all manner of propaganda to pull him down. But this seems to have waned out as majority of those who will be to criticizing will be finding it difficult to convince people with the unfounded tales of being arrogant.  I have personally noticed that his towering God given status and academic qualification is one area that may trouble his detractor which I sympathies with them. The hatred on Hon Ihedioha like I have observed is personal with no real good reason but political gimmick to discredit his person.


One can say without any fear of equivocation that Rt. Hon Ihedioha’s public life as a politician, legislator, political leader and administrator has been a harvest of accomplishments for the good of Imo people and Ndigbo. Even though it is difficult to start counting the many projects and programmes he has attracted to his primary constituency one by one and those that he attracted to Imo state and beyond. These kind of massive socio economic projects he attracted is already a good testimony to his many years of unparallel service to mankind, a doffing of the hat for this accomplished ex legislator for changing the lives of people positively. Rt. Hon Ihedioha in the National Assembly demonstrated team spirit, which was lacking with his contemporaries. It is not surprising today that a lot of those he favoured are stereotyped and envious of his achievements and probably why they are continuously kicking to diminish his towering influence in the party. To them destroying the good legacies of Rt. Hon Ihedioha and his achievement must be done with all manner of dangerous propaganda and politics of calumny and hate.


The fact that zoning has long been established in the politics of Nigeria in general and Imo State in particular, appointive political and public service positions are zoned by applying the principle of equity or federal character to all tiers of government and it is equitable so to do. In situations where the position is of a singular and very influential nature, it becomes necessary to effect zoning by rotation among the component units for agreed terms and tenure. This is as it should be particularly in the state with respect to the position of governor which should rotate among the three zones, Owerri (Imo East) Okigwe (Imo North) and Orlu (Imo West). From a brief study of what is happening in four other South East states of Nigeria, it is instructive to say that Abia State present Governor Otti is from Abia South, his predecessor, Gov Okezie is from Abia South, Theodore Orji from Abia Central while Orji Uzor Kalu emerged from Abia North. In Anambra, Governor Soludo is from Anambra Central, Governor Obiano is from Anambra North, his predecessor Peter Obi came from Anambra Central after taking over from Chinwoke Mbadinuju from Anambra South. Equally, in Ebonyi State the case of equity and justice was applied where the present Governor Francis Nwifuru is from Ebonyi North, his predecessor Governor, Umahi is from Ebonyi South,  Martin Elechi comes from Ebonyi Central while Sam Egwu whom he took over hails from Ebonyi North. In Enugu State, the present Governor Mbah is from Enugu East, his predecessor Governor Ugwuanyi is from Enugu North, Sullivan Chime is from Enugu West while Nnamani came from Enugu East.


It is only in Imo State, that the charter of equity has been distorted deliberately by evil hands and this is contributing to our backwardness as a State. When in 1999 – 2007 Achike Udenwa from Imo west in the spirit of charter of equity was voted for two tenures of eight years and handed over to Ohakim from Imo North to continue, but unfortunately he lost to Okorocha from Imo West and this is the accident that brought the distortion in our polity and again the coming of Governor Uzodinma from the same zone who displaced Governor Ihedioha from (Imo East) after seven months period. Today, as attempts to address the issue have continued to receive acceptance by some political operators, all hands must be on deck to work against enemy of the state who glory in evil manipulation and short changing of the people wishes.


Owerri zone (Imo East) has never had a fair share of power rotation. What an injustice and evil by  some stakeholders? Something should be done to settle Owerri zone in 2027. Moving Imo state forward would be ultimate priority and sacrosanct if our stakeholders will stop supporting evil and be reasonable this time around to know that winning political battles, best candidates must be supported to winning elections. Our political manipulators who dwell on selling lies and encouraging hatred against Rt. Hon Ihedioha our best hands for selfish reasons should refrain and take a cue from the mistake of 2011 and that of Supreme Court judgement of 2020 which was responsible for the situation we found ourselves today. Enough is enough of this evil manipulation on Owerri zone!