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<\/a><\/p>\nBy Willie Amadi<\/p>\n
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Every election has its own peculiarities, circumstances and political dynamics. The forthcoming elections will not be business as usual, particularly because of their implications for the 2028 governorship election in Imo State.<\/p>\n
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When we held our Elders Council meeting, Professor Maurice Iwu made it clear that the elders should select a committee to engage the Conference of Political Parties, traditional rulers, the clergy and other critical stakeholders in a dialogue on the Charter of Equity.<\/p>\n
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The purpose of the engagement is to communicate our position that Owerri Zone should produce the next governor of Imo State in 2028. We must present our arguments with statistics, historical records and compelling evidence to support our position.<\/p>\n
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Twenty-four years ago, Owerri Zone, acting on what we considered a moral obligation and in the interest of political accommodation, allowed Orlu Zone to take the governorship. At the time, the late Chief I. G. Nwogu, Professor Echeruo and other prominent stakeholders believed that our brothers from Orlu should be given an opportunity to emerge politically.<\/p>\n
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The understanding, as I recall it, was that after eight years, the governorship would move to Owerri Zone and subsequently to Okigwe Zone. This arrangement was rooted in the belief that power rotation would promote fairness, unity and balanced development across the three senatorial zones of Imo State.<\/p>\n
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Senator Hope Uzodimma, the incumbent governor, was part of the political discussions at the time when he was a young businessman. He supported the arrangement involving former Governor Achike Udenwa and, as I recall, mobilised funds towards Udenwa’s election and emergence.<\/p>\n
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Having reached this stage in our political development, the State Elders Council should engage leaders of the Conference of Political Parties to encourage them to consider governorship candidates from Owerri Zone when selecting their flag bearers for 2028.<\/p>\n
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OWERRI UNITED MUST BE ABOVE PARTY POLITICS<\/p>\n
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The incumbent administration, under the APC, will naturally seek to produce its preferred successor. Opposition parties will equally pursue their own interests and attempt to produce candidates capable of winning the election.<\/p>\n
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However, whichever party eventually produces the governor, our collective position should be that the candidate must come from Owerri Zone.<\/p>\n
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At the same time, we must not make the mistake of suggesting that anyone who does not belong to the APC has no place in Owerri United. Such a position would send the wrong signal and undermine our objective.<\/p>\n
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Owerri United must accommodate everybody, irrespective of political affiliation. We must not turn a collective struggle into an exclusive political project.<\/p>\n
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If opposition parties are involved, they can contribute their membership, ideas and electoral strength to the movement. Even where their numbers are smaller, their voices must be heard.<\/p>\n
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In every democratic arrangement, the minority deserves a voice, but the majority ultimately determines the direction. As discussions progress, those who initially disagree may eventually recognise the strength of the collective position and decide to join the movement.<\/p>\n
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It is better to keep someone inside the house, even if that person occasionally urinates outside, than to send the person outside, where they may urinate inside the house.<\/p>\n
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That is the practical wisdom behind inclusive politics. We must not drive away people whose support we may eventually need.<\/p>\n
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IGBO UNITY MUST TRANSCEND PARTY AFFILIATION<\/p>\n
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We also held a meeting with traditional rulers from our autonomous communities. While addressing them, I emphasised that we are all Igbo and share a common heritage and spirit of brotherhood, irrespective of the political parties to which we individually belong.<\/p>\n
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Political differences should not destroy our collective identity or prevent us from pursuing legitimate interests that benefit our people.<\/p>\n
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I cited the Igbo expression, “Onuru ube nwanne agbala oso,” which reminds us of the importance of standing by our brothers when support is needed.<\/p>\n
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There are many Igbo people in the APC who may ultimately decide to support Peter Obi, depending on the circumstances and their convictions. I am also prepared to make such a choice if I believe it serves the greater interest of our people.<\/p>\n
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The point is simple: belonging to a political party does not mean abandoning our identity, heritage or collective aspirations.<\/p>\n
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Nevertheless, we must recognise that every political position comes with responsibilities and requires sacrifice. Anyone aspiring to occupy a major office must be prepared to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve that objective.<\/p>\n
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THE POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITIES BEFORE OWERRI ZONE<\/p>\n
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Consider the political responsibilities currently associated with Governor Hope Uzodimma. He has occupied an influential position within the Progressive Governors Forum and has been associated with national political and campaign responsibilities.<\/p>\n
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Owerri Zone is also looking towards the 2028 governorship election, while Prince Alex Mbata is pursuing his own political aspirations.<\/p>\n
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There are several considerations behind the political expectations we have of the governor and the wider political establishment. These include reciprocity, historical understanding, electoral cooperation, political representation and the future development of Owerri Zone.<\/p>\n
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When you ask people to support you and they do so, there should be a corresponding willingness to consider their interests when their own moment arrives.<\/p>\n
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If you ask people to place their trust in you and they do so, but when it is their turn to receive your support you refuse, you should not expect them to remain silent. Political relationships must be built on mutual respect and reciprocity.<\/p>\n
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This is why I believe that the political relationship between Owerri Zone and the incumbent administration deserves serious consideration.<\/p>\n
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If, by January 16, 2027, the electoral results from Owerri Zone do not align with the governor’s political interests, how easy will it be for us to return to the same political establishment and ask for its support for an Owerri Zone governor in 2028?<\/p>\n
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That is a question every stakeholder must consider carefully.<\/p>\n
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ORLU AND OKIGWE HAVE NOT ABANDONED THEIR AMBITIONS<\/p>\n
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Let me make something clear: we should not assume that other political interests in Imo State have abandoned the governorship race.<\/p>\n
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Political stakeholders from Orlu and Okigwe zones may still seek the office in 2028. We must therefore avoid complacency and understand that the contest for the governorship will involve serious political calculations.<\/p>\n
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The debate over the Charter of Equity within Owerri Zone is intensifying. However, the real test will be whether we can translate our arguments into political organisation, unity and electoral strength.<\/p>\n
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The January 16, 2027, elections will be an important test of our preparedness and our ability to work together.<\/p>\n
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We must understand that political agreements are strengthened when those seeking to benefit from them demonstrate unity, seriousness and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to the political process.<\/p>\n
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Owerri Zone must therefore prepare itself, organise its people and engage stakeholders across party lines.<\/p>\n
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PRINCE ALEX MBATA AND THE PRICE OF POLITICAL AMBITION<\/p>\n
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Prince Alex Mbata is among those whose political aspirations deserve attention. He has invested considerable personal resources in politics, yet, in my assessment, he has not received benefits commensurate with the resources he has committed.<\/p>\n
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Many people who occupy political offices have accumulated resources through their involvement in politics. Prince Alex Mbata, on the other hand, is known for continuing to invest in political activities without necessarily receiving corresponding returns.<\/p>\n
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The lesson is that attaining a high political position often requires significant sacrifice.<\/p>\n
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If you desire a position of great responsibility, you must be prepared to pay a corresponding price through commitment, resources, patience and sustained engagement.<\/p>\n
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However, financial investment alone cannot guarantee political success. It must be accompanied by public trust, credible leadership, effective organisation and the support of the electorate.<\/p>\n
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TRADITIONAL RULERS MUST MOBILISE THEIR COMMUNITIES<\/p>\n
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I appeal to our traditional rulers to convene meetings in their respective autonomous communities and explain why Owerri Zone believes it deserves the opportunity to produce the next governor of Imo State.<\/p>\n
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Our people must understand the historical arguments behind our position, the importance of political participation and the need to engage constructively with other zones.<\/p>\n
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The traditional institution has an important role to play in promoting peace, unity and dialogue. Our traditional rulers can help create an atmosphere in which political stakeholders discuss the Charter of Equity without hostility or unnecessary division.<\/p>\n
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We must communicate our position clearly: Owerri Zone is asking for an opportunity to produce the next governor in 2028.<\/p>\n
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We must also recognise that securing this objective will require broad political engagement, credible candidates and the willingness to build alliances beyond our immediate political circles.<\/p>\n
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TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION AND OWERRI ZONE’S INTEREST<\/p>\n
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I believe that the political calculations surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and Owerri Zone’s governorship ambition must be considered carefully.<\/p>\n
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If Governor Uzodimma is expected to play a significant role in the president’s re-election campaign, then stakeholders from Owerri Zone will naturally want to understand how their political cooperation could contribute to the advancement of their own aspirations.<\/p>\n
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However, we must be realistic. Presidential elections and governorship elections are separate contests, even though the political dynamics surrounding them may be interconnected.<\/p>\n
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The president, if re-elected, will have responsibilities across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. A state governor, by contrast, will have the immediate responsibility of addressing the development needs of Imo State and its constituent communities.<\/p>\n
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For Owerri Zone, our aspiration is not merely about supporting a national political project. We also want a governor who will pay attention to our development needs while serving the entire state fairly.<\/p>\n
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We must therefore pursue our interests through dialogue, negotiation, political cooperation and the democratic process.<\/p>\n
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THE FINAL CHALLENGE: UNITY AND RECIPROCITY<\/p>\n
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Owerri Zone must understand that our ambition cannot be achieved through entitlement alone. We must build consensus, demonstrate political strength and establish relationships that can withstand the pressures of party politics.<\/p>\n
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We must also understand that unity does not require everybody to belong to the same political party. What matters is our ability to agree on a common objective while respecting individual political choices.<\/p>\n
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Our traditional rulers, political leaders, religious institutions, community stakeholders and ordinary citizens all have a role to play.<\/p>\n
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The Charter of Equity must be discussed openly, its historical basis examined, and its practical implications understood by all concerned.<\/p>\n
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Above all, we must remember that political support should be accompanied by mutual consideration. Those who support others today may reasonably expect consideration when their own turn arrives.<\/p>\n
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As the Igbo expression reminds us, “Enye ihe, enye ihe”\u2014giving and receiving must be understood within the broader principle of reciprocity.<\/p>\n
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Let us therefore remain united, engage constructively with other stakeholders and pursue Owerri Zone’s 2028 governorship ambition with determination, wisdom and a clear understanding of the political realities before us.<\/p>\n
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OWERRI UNITED!<\/p>\n
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By Willie Amadi<\/p>\n
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NZE Noel Chiagorom:<\/p>\n
Editor , SUNRISE NIGERIA<\/p>\n
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SUNRISE NIGERIA \u2014 Truth Is Timeless, Fact Is Sacred.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
OWERRI UNITED A Call for Political Unity, Equity and Owerri Zone\u2019s Governorship Ambition By Willie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-featured"],"yoast_head":"\n