Imo 2027: Owerri Zone Peoples Mandate plans olive branch to Okigwe, Orlu leaders

From Everest Ezihe, Owerri

Ahead of 2027 gubernatorial election in Imo State, political leaders of Owerri senatorial zone under the auspices of Owerri Zone Peoples Mandate, (OWZOPEM) has advanced plans to meet leaders of Okigwe and Orlu senatorial zones so as to solicit and consolidate their supports, that it’s the turn of the zone to produce the successor of the incumbent Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma who hails from Orlu in the forthcoming political dispensation.

The group which held their well attended maiden meeting on Saturday at Owerri residence of Prof. Vitalis Orikaeze Ajumbe with Dr. David Mbamara and High Chief Mike Nwachukwu as conveners also, stated their mission and vision as, “to aggregate, articulate and further the interest of Owerri senatorial zone towards producing the successor of the sitting Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma in 2027”.

It’s pertinent to inform that Owerri Zone Peoples Mandate is an association of nde Owerri Zone drawn from the One Hundred and Four (104) Electoral Wards in the Nine (9) Local Government Areas of the Zone, which are Owerri Municipal, Owerri North, Owerri West, Mbaitoli, Ikeduru, Ngor Okpuala, Abor Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise.

The group at the end of the crucial meeting issued a two paged well worded communique and endorsed by the three critical converners.

Their five point resolutions include; to communicate as soon as possible to those championing the cause of Okigwe Zone, particularly, the Okigwe Global Elders Forum led by HRM Eze (Dr.) Oliver Ohanwe, their intention to meet with them as partners in progress, towards the potential resolution of the obvious and apparent CLASH of interest of Owerri and Okigwe Zones in their respective quests to produce the next Governor of Imo State.

The group agreed on the absolute need to set up a high – powered committee of Men and Women of integrity and good standings in the society, who will initiate discussions with the Okigwe Global Elders Forum with the intent of agreeing on an appropriate platform to hear out each zone with a view to coming to a resolution of their differences and come out with a unified position on which zone should take the first shot under the re-enacted Imo Charter of Equity. Such a quid pro quo agreement between Okigwe and Owerri zones they said is a win-win situation.

They also insisted on the need to engage Orlu Zone through their apex political organization – Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA) with the intent of carrying them along on their engagement and eventual agreement with Okigwe Zone.

They further resolved to write to the Ohaji / Egbema political bloc of Orlu Zone, commending them on their decision to remain in Imo State following the recent agitation by some well-meaning Orlu sons in the National Assembly for the creation of Orlu State.

They equally agreed, to write a letter of commendation to Governor Hope Uzodimma for the good works his Shared Prosperity and 3R administrative mantra is doing in the State and for overall interest of the State.