Ahead of Imo governorship election in 2027, a Socio-Political interest Group, under the aegis of Imo Progressive Movement, IPM, has advised that voting Dr Ikedi Ohakim to complete his remaining four years as Governor would make the journey short for the eventual realisation of the dream of a Governor of Owerri Zone extraction.
This is even as IPM made it clear that the only viable option in the present circumstance in Imo State, is to allow former Governor Ohakim to come back in order to complete his remaining constitutionally guaranteed fours years.
“The shortest route for Nde Owerri Zone to Douglas House, is from Okigwe Zone through Dr. Ikedi Ohakim that has already been limited by the constitution…another person from Okigwe Zone should not be supported or encouraged.
” Let us forget our differences and stand for the truth, fairness and equity,” IPM stated.
This is contained in an open letter signed by the executive secretary, IPM, Dr. Promise Onyewuchim, and addressed to the Chairman, Imo Council of Elders, Eze Cletus ILomuanya. IPM went down the memory lane to show how the rotation of the office of the Governor among the three senatorial zones in four states of the Southeast, had worked out well,as well as stabilised the affected states.
Dr Onyewuchim disclosed that rotation of the office of the Governor among the senatorial zones, has worked out very well in Anambra, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi states, and has engendered peace, harmony and understanding in the polity of the respective states.
The group however, expressed regrets that the story is different in Imo State where, according to it, only Orlu Zone has dominated Imo Governorship for over twenty years and still counting.
IPM used facts and figures to buttress the fact that Okigwe and Owerri zones were being marginalised with each of the two zones having served as Governor for only four years, and two-and-half-years, respectively.
The group emphasised the urgency for the leaders of Owerri and Okigwe Zones to put their personal differences behind, and stand for truth, equity and fairness.
The group appealed to the Imo Council of Elders to impress it upon Orlu Zone leaders to allow people from only Owerri and Okigwe zones to contest the 2027 Governorship poll in Imo State.
