Further revelations have emerged on reasons behind the unsuccessful campaign of the PDP governorship candidate, Emeka Ihedioha from Owerri zone, who lost to the incumbent and APC flagbearer who is of Orlu zone extraction.
To herald activities leading to the election, various socio-cultural and political organizations from Owerri zone sprung up to lay claim to the 2015 governorship position. Groups like Owerri Zone Political Forum, OZOPOLF led by Charlvon Amadi, Obiriukwu Owerri, Owerri Peoples Assembly, OPA, etc, championed the struggle.
However, when the chips were down, Trumpeta can reveal that the Owerri Zone people at the centre of the “Owerri zone for Governor Project” voted massively for the incumbent governor who is from Orlu zone. In the governorship election, only the PDP candidate, managed to win in four of the nine LGAs that make up Owerri zone while the third placed contestant, Capt Emma Ihenacho of APGA from Owerri North could not prove his mettle in any of the three LGAs that make up Owerri Federal Constituency.
Another block, Okigwe also joined to deny Owerri zone the chance to produce governor in 2015. Despite joining to clamour that it is their turn to have the governor none of the candidates from Owerri and Okigwe zone won in the six LGAs that constitute the zone.
Trumpeta learnt that high powered conspiracy and clash of interest were responsible for the support Okorocha got from Okigwe and Owerri zones.
It was observed that some leaders who hitherto were champions of the Owerri zone for governor, made U-turn when they felt that their interest would not be accommodated fully should Ihedioha of the PDP wins. Most of them who were of the PDP stock looked elsewhere for political relevance when Ihedioha emerged PDP winner at the end of the primaries. A reasonable percent of the Owerri zone leaders, it was gathered sought for monetary compensation and “settlement” before they join forces to project Ihedioha’s ambition.
A source close to some of the late-minute decampess from Owerri zone disclosed that most of the PDP leaders and stakeholders who changed camp to APC to support Okorocha sought for a deal with Ihedioha which was elusive before they defected.
The defectors, according to the source who preferred anonymity comprise few governorship aspirants under PDP who allegedly approached Ihedioha for settlement after the Dec 8, primaries. “Some kept away from the project of Owerri zone for governor” when the failed to pick the ticket. Initially, everybody agreed to work for the emergence of Owerri zone for governor, but when Ihedioha picked the ticket, the centre could not hold. They recoiled and kept to themselves. When they saw that President Jonathan lost, it became their chance to come out in the open to fully campaign for Okorocha and show solidarity to APC and President-elect Buhari.
Our source revealed that at a time before the contest, the latest of Okorocha converts were protagonists of Owerri zone for governor who converged meetings in their houses where resolutions that it must be Owerri zone governor were reached and endorsed with signatures. But however turned a new leaf when they felt their interest may not be accommodated in Ihedioha’s camp.
Trumpeta was also informed that some Owerri zone leaders backed out when they were ignored and not considered in the scheme of things by Ihedioha’s campaign organization. Their grouse was that the campaign outfit of the Deputy Speaker of House of Reps would have ran an open door policy to accommodate and include associates of other aspirants who lost the governorship ticket of PDP.
More disturbing factor said to be responsible for jettisoning Ihedioha was the 2019 interest of some Owerri and Okigwe zone political stakeholders.
Trumpeta observed that the near absence of some Owerri zone heavyweights loaded with mega money to prosecute a governorship election was necessitated by their desire to either run or present a candidate of their choice where they will exert commanding influence come 2019.
Trumpeta further learnt that the political top shots of Owerri preferred to have Okorocha serve out his one tenure to create room for an Owerri zone person which they stand to benefit. According to reports, Ihedioha’s chance may bar them from making their guber dreams come true. Therefore, they preferred to trade Ihedioha away for Okorocha’s second term hoping to benefit in 2019.
It was also noted that similar reasons were behind the actions of PDP leaders from Okigwe zone who either relaxed in the respective areas or aided Okorocha of APC to win after PDP cleared the senatorial and House of Reps seat. The alleged anti-party activities of a prominent leader and governorship aspirant of PDP are said not to be unconnected with the desire of he and followers to stop Owerri zone by aiding Okorocha complete his second term thereby throwing 2019 open.
Their game plan was based on the fact that should Ihedioha win, they would wait till 2013 before Okigwe zone will smell Douglas House again and majority of them may be battling with age difficulties to run for the position.
